[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2418-S2419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Collins):
  S. 4611. A bill to provide for alignment of the Job Corps with the 
defense industrial base, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, we need to revitalize our Nation's defense 
and maritime industrial bases, and we need to develop the workforce to 
achieve this goal. Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs 
have the track record and capacity to support this effort. Yet current 
law limits the ability of the Department of Defense and key entities in 
the defense and maritime industrial bases to invest in partnerships 
with these programs. To address this challenge, I am introducing the 
bipartisan Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act 
with Senator Collins. Our bill will formalize and strengthen the 
partnership between Job Corps, registered apprenticeship programs, and 
the defense industrial base. I am grateful to Representative Joe 
Courtney for leading the bipartisan effort in the House.
  Over the next decade, the submarine industrial base will need an 
estimated 100,000 skilled workers to build the submarines critical to 
our national defense. In the next year, Electric Boat, a key contractor 
in this effort, plans to hire 5,000 workers in the skilled trades, 
including 3,000 in Rhode Island. Our Job Corps centers have been 
important partners in filling the workforce pipeline, but with 
additional resources and flexibilities, they could do even more.
  The Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act would 
promote greater alignment between our armed services, defense 
industrial base, Job Corps, and registered apprenticeship programs to 
prepare young workers to contribute to our national defense. It would 
extend eligibility for the Navy Shipbuilding Workforce Development 
Special Incentive to Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs, 
and it would enable Job Corps centers to receive grants from the 
Department of Defense and other sources to fund training curriculum. It 
would also provide Job Corps centers with the flexibility to make 
staffing and professional development decisions, enter into agreements 
with local partners, and engage stakeholders, while acting within 
existing budgets.
  Additionally, the Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base 
Pipeline Act would provide new avenues for participation in Job Corps 
and registered apprenticeship programs. Our

[[Page S2419]]

bill would require the Secretary of Defense to ensure military recruits 
who are ineligible for enlistment be made aware of opportunities to 
enroll in the Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs to 
prepare them for enlistment or learn skills that are in high demand in 
the defense industrial Use. It would also streamline Job Corps' 
enrollment for interested servicemembers in preseparation counseling.
  The Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act is a 
win-win-win piece of legislation. Our national security will be 
strengthened by providing more skilled workers to address critical 
defense sector needs; young people will get life-changing career 
opportunities that will put them on a path to economic security and 
personal success; and the taxpayer will benefit from greater government 
efficiency in leveraging existing programs to address national 
priorities. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this 
legislation.

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