U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Lisa Blunt Rochester Introduce Bill to Modernize Workforce Training

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act, which would create more opportunities for quality workforce training that leads to employment and helps ensure every American has the skills they need to unlock their full potential. Over the next decade, the United States expects approximately 192 million job openings, representing a significant increase in workforce needs as compared to the previous ten years.

"As technology becomes more integrated in our everyday lives, we must ensure we're harnessing its capabilities, like groundbreaking, immersive technology, to strengthen our labor force and equip American workers to meet increasing workforce needs," said Senator Britt. "Proud to join Senator Blunt Rochester in this commonsense bill to help modernize workforce training for the 21st-century and ensure American innovation continues to lead the world."

The Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act would establish an innovative grant program at the Department of Labor that would leverage immersive new technologies to train and educate individuals for the workplace, specifically supporting programs at community colleges, technical education schools, and those supporting training for individuals with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities and in rural areas.

"As Delaware's former Secretary of Labor, I have spent my career working to empower and prepare the workforce of today and tomorrow," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "We must be forward thinking as we confront both longstanding and developing workforce challenges. Immersive technology, such as virtual reality, can be a powerful tool for training and career visualization. I am proud to be introducing the Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act alongside Senator Britt to support the development of innovative skills training programs that utilize this technology and, most importantly, connect Americans with jobs."

Immersive technology can play a powerful role in equipping American workers to meet the needs of our changing economy. Highly versatile, and both space and cost effective, this technology has the potential to expand skills and training access to learners who face barriers to accessing workforce training.

The Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act is endorsed by: Advance CTE, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Association of Community College Trustees (AACT), CareerViewXR, CM&D, Delaware Technical Community College, Delaware Tech Council, HTC VIVE, Jobs for the Future (JFF), National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), Oberon Technologies, Qualcomm, SIMVANA, Transfr, XR Association (XRA).

You can read the text of the bill here and read a one-pager on the bill here.

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