Union Leader: Ayotte Tours TRM Microwave, Discusses Manufacturing Legislation

News Article

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., stopped by defense manufacturing firm TRM Microwave on Friday to tour the facility and tout her efforts to boost high-tech manufacturing in New Hampshire.

Ayotte said she has been working with high-tech manufacturing firms in developing the bipartisan Manufacturing Skills Act and a bill to designate 25 "manufacturing universities" nationwide to determine the kinds of skills they look for in new hires.

"I would see all this new manufacturing happening (when visiting New Hampshire businesses), and the employers would tell me, "We're still building these positions, but the reason that we aren't filling them is because we need a skilled work force," Ayotte said. "Coming out of high school, there is not this emphasis, even on the types of technology skills needed now."

Ayotte, who has been crafting the legislation with Delaware Democrat Sen. Chris Coons, said she and her colleague are hoping to have the University of New Hampshire and the University of Delaware become designated as manufacturing universities.

"(The legislation) would allow universities to compete for this designation, and there would be some additional resource opportunities for those manufacturing designated universities to focus on what's the best way for us to marry the education system with this advanced manufacturing that we're seeing in companies like this," she said. "That's why UNH has supported the legislation, and they see it as a step in the right direction."

Ayotte also said she and Coons are also looking to create more opportunities for STEM-related manufacturing training at the community college level and through apprenticeships.

In addition, Ayotte discussed her work on the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act. TRM Microwave recently became a designated woman-owned business when Chief Executive Officer Wendy Tirollo, wife of founder Anthony Tirollo, took ownership of the company. The company also employs a relatively large number of women for a high-tech firm. Ayotte, who is co-sponsoring the legislation with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., says it would clarify the legal standards employers must adhere to for making reasonable accommodations to ensure the health and safety of pregnant employees and their babies.

"I think it's a win for women workers and for their employers, if women want to continue working, to allow them to continue during their pregnancy," she said.

Wendy Tirollo said she was grateful to have Ayotte as a supporter of domestic manufacturing.

"We manufacture, and we keeps jobs here in New Hampshire," Tirollo said. "The more that news can get out, the better."

"We know that we have somebody on our side, representing our needs," said Celeste Guidice, marketing communications manager for TRM. "That's a definite plus for the state and for the defense companies as well."

Ayotte met with a number of TRM's employees and got a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process for their radio frequency and microwave components, which are used on all modern military airplanes.

"What you do is really important in terms of defending the country," she said.

Source