U.S. Reps. Elizabeth Esty, D-CT, and Chris Collins, R-NY, have introduced the Manufacturing Universities Act, H.R. 5526, to prepare engineering students for innovative careers in manufacturing.

Esty also introduced the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act, H.R. 5527, to support women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) professions.

Esty’s bills came out of a workforce development roundtable she held in Waterbury on Aug. 22. After talking with manufacturers, educators and local leaders, she saw the need to increase support for existing engineering programs at colleges and universities and better connect female scientists with opportunities outside of the laboratory.

“I have heard directly from manufacturers across the district who are struggling to find the highly-skilled workers they need,” said the congresswoman. “As the manufacturing sector continues to grow in Connecticut, it’s critical that our students are ready for these jobs. This bipartisan, bicameral bill will give engineering programs the resources necessary to prepare students for the jobs waiting for them. In Connecticut, where we have exceptional engineering schools, we must make sure our students have the tools they need to thrive in these 21st century jobs.”

“The Manufacturing Universities initiative is an exciting program that will transform high-tech manufacturing technologies and workforce development in the United States,” said Mun Choi, provost at the University of Connecticut. “UConn is uniquely positioned to support this program through new investments in additive manufacturing, composite fabrication and materials development and industry with aerospace, biomedical and energy industries.”

The Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014 addresses the training needs of workers and manufacturers by supporting the next generation of engineers.  The bill establishes a program within the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology.

NIST would be tasked with administering a manufacturing universities program at colleges and universities to prepare engineering students for manufacturing jobs. Colleges and universities with existing engineering programs would be eligible to apply for the manufacturing university designation. It would include up to $5 million annually for four years to improve engineering programs to emphasize manufacturing, increase the number of joint projects with manufacturing firms and support students who participate in cooperative education with these firms.

The Act is bipartisan and bicameral. The companion bill in the Senate, S. 2719, was introduced by Sens. Chris Coons, D-DE, and Lindsey Graham,R-SC.

Esty noted that Connecticut is home to some of the greatest scientists and engineers in the world, both men and women. Her bill would expand opportunities for women in the STEM fields to develop their talents and skills in both research and industry settings.