Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would send eligible Americans working in manufacturing fields abroad for hands-on manufacturing training and certification in countries with manufacturing expertise.
The American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act would establish an international exchange program within the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“American manufacturing and its workforce are essential to our economy and the growth of American industry,” U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson(R-PA), who cosponsored the bill, said. “This legislation expands opportunities for Pennsylvanians, allowing them to upskill and share their expertise with others. This will ensure future generations are prepared for the workforce and equipped with the right skills, maintaining America’s competitive edge as we move into the future.”
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) sponsored the bill.
“The USW supports increasing workers’ access to information about manufacturing processes, including hands-on experience, through the American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026,” Roy Houseman, United Steelworkers legislative director and assistant to the president, said. “This program will allow workers to learn from their counterparts overseas and bring that knowledge back to the United States, helping build bridges between workers and making our domestic industries stronger.”
It is estimated that nearly half of American manufacturing positions will be unfilled by 2033.