# Congress Proposes Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Pilots

Representatives Norma Torres and Chuck Fleischmann introduced the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act of 2026 on October 15, 2026. The proposed bill would direct the Department of Labor to establish pilot projects connecting manufacturers, colleges, workforce boards, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers to deliver advanced-manufacturing training, apprenticeships, and recognized credentials. It is proposed legislation, not a current solicitation; the cited precedent is a $15 million DOL grant to Chaffey College and the Inland Empire Regional Training Consortium that supported the workforce initiative leading to the InTech Center.

- If enacted, the pilots could create future funding and partnership opportunities for manufacturers, colleges, workforce boards, and training providers; no current award or application opportunity is announced.
- The proposed model emphasizes coordinated employer-led training and recognized credentials, which interested organizations can use to assess potential partners and program capabilities.
- The cited 2014 DOL grant offers a concrete precedent for workforce-training efforts, but the bill does not establish a new funding amount or procurement timeline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
- U.S. Congress
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
- Chaffey College

### Vendors
- Nucor-CSI (formerly California Steel Industries) ()

### Key Quotes
> The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act will bring manufacturers, community colleges, and workforce partners together to give workers the skills they need to secure good-paying careers while helping American manufacturers find the talent they need to grow.
> — Norma Torres, U.S. Representative

> East Tennessee is leading the way in America’s reindustrialization, showing how innovation and hard work can revitalize our manufacturing sector.
> — Chuck Fleischmann, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [Representatives Torres and Fleischmann Lead Bipartisan Bill to Build America’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce | U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres of California's 35th District](https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-torres-and-fleischmann-lead-bipartisan-bill-to-build-americas-advanced-manufacturing-workforce) - Torres