May 29, 2010
Rahall Works to Create More Technology Jobs in WV
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) -- U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) worked to pass the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 5116), a bill that reinvests in modern manufacturing, spurs American innovation through technology development and strengthens math and science education to prepare students for new jobs of the 21st Century.
“Technology is changing so dramatically that the U.S. Department of Labor predicts those leaving college will have 13 careers in their lifetime,” said Rahall. “Five of those careers don’t even exist yet. This bill looks to meet those jobs of the future head-on and to help our country to take back jobs that have been shipped overseas and to create flourishing science and technology industries in our communities.”
Rahall told recent WVU Tech and Mountwest Community College graduates during their respective commencements, “It is crucial that America remains number one and creates the next generation of entrepreneurs by improving science, math, technology, and engineering schooling for our children today, so that as these job fields grow and change our young people will be ready to seamlessly step into those jobs.”
The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R.5116), which passed the House today by a vote of 262-150, invests in basic scientific research, and creates jobs using innovative technology loan guarantees for small and mid-sized manufacturers and creates Regional Innovation Clusters to expand scientific and economic collaboration. The clusters will leverage collaboration and communication between businesses and other entities to advance research and technology.
The bill also establishes Energy Innovation Hubs which are multidisciplinary collaborations that support research and development. Each Hub will have a single technological focus to tackle issues that currently present a critical barrier to achieving our national energy goals. The newly created Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Department of Commerce will partner with businesses to overcome barriers to commercializing new research and to speed the market application of new technologies, products, processes and services that will spur economic development and create jobs.
Finally, the bill expands and strengthens science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs at all levels through grants to increase the number and quality of students receiving undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math, and grants and fellowship opportunities for graduate students in those fields.
“The world needs technology—and there is no reason why our nation, which has been at the forefront of every technological advance since WWII, should not be at the forefront of the next generation of science, engineering, and technology,” said Rahall. “Most importantly, we must take the lead in producing the next generation of technology and engineering jobs to prepare our young people for the future.”
The bill has broad support, with the endorsement of more than 750 business, research and academic organizations, including Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Information Technology Industry Council, Business Roundtable, TechNet, American Council on Education, and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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Rahall Works to Create More Technology Jobs in WV
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) -- U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) worked to pass the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 5116), a bill that reinvests in modern manufacturing, spurs American innovation through technology development and strengthens math and science education to prepare students for new jobs of the 21st Century.
“Technology is changing so dramatically that the U.S. Department of Labor predicts those leaving college will have 13 careers in their lifetime,” said Rahall. “Five of those careers don’t even exist yet. This bill looks to meet those jobs of the future head-on and to help our country to take back jobs that have been shipped overseas and to create flourishing science and technology industries in our communities.”
Rahall told recent WVU Tech and Mountwest Community College graduates during their respective commencements, “It is crucial that America remains number one and creates the next generation of entrepreneurs by improving science, math, technology, and engineering schooling for our children today, so that as these job fields grow and change our young people will be ready to seamlessly step into those jobs.”
The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R.5116), which passed the House today by a vote of 262-150, invests in basic scientific research, and creates jobs using innovative technology loan guarantees for small and mid-sized manufacturers and creates Regional Innovation Clusters to expand scientific and economic collaboration. The clusters will leverage collaboration and communication between businesses and other entities to advance research and technology.
The bill also establishes Energy Innovation Hubs which are multidisciplinary collaborations that support research and development. Each Hub will have a single technological focus to tackle issues that currently present a critical barrier to achieving our national energy goals. The newly created Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Department of Commerce will partner with businesses to overcome barriers to commercializing new research and to speed the market application of new technologies, products, processes and services that will spur economic development and create jobs.
Finally, the bill expands and strengthens science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs at all levels through grants to increase the number and quality of students receiving undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math, and grants and fellowship opportunities for graduate students in those fields.
“The world needs technology—and there is no reason why our nation, which has been at the forefront of every technological advance since WWII, should not be at the forefront of the next generation of science, engineering, and technology,” said Rahall. “Most importantly, we must take the lead in producing the next generation of technology and engineering jobs to prepare our young people for the future.”
The bill has broad support, with the endorsement of more than 750 business, research and academic organizations, including Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Information Technology Industry Council, Business Roundtable, TechNet, American Council on Education, and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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