Thune Leads Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act Filing

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., led filing of the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act Thursday. The bill aims to increase the 5G workforce by requiring the Labor Department to lead an interagency working group that would develop recommendations to address the telecom sector’s labor needs. The department would issue guidance on how states can address the telecom workforce shortage by identifying existing federal resources. The measure would direct GAO to study the number of workers needed to build and maintain 5G infrastructure. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and three other senators are co-sponsoring the bill -- Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Gary Peters, D-Mich.; and Jon Tester, D-Mont. “Right now, there simply aren't enough workers with the necessary training to meet the needs of nationwide 5G,” Thune said in a floor speech. CTIA, the National Association of Tower Erectors, NTCA and the Wireless Infrastructure Association hailed the bill’s filing.