Vitter, Baldwin, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Maritime and Energy Jobs

Press Release

U.S. Senators David Vitter (R-La.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would authorize creation of a new grant program to address the critical need for trained workers in the maritime and energy industries. The Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act would support expansion of training programs and establish centers of excellence in maritime and energy workforce technical training by awarding competitive grants to eligible community colleges and institutions of higher education.

"As we work to grow Louisiana's economy -- especially in the maritime and energy industries, one of the biggest challenges we face as a state is meeting the demands for a skilled workforce to fill those great jobs. I'm proud to say that this bipartisan legislation will help Louisiana meet that goal," said Senator Vitter. "Senators Baldwin, Kaine, and I have introduced the bipartisan Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act in order to empower our young folks so that they can pursue careers in some of our most successful, job-creating industries."

"It is an honor to represent a state with a long and proud maritime manufacturing tradition. Our Made in Wisconsin manufacturing economy has sustained our prosperity for generations and I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will continue Wisconsin's legacy and ensure the future viability of our maritime workforce through industry-specific education and training," said Senator Baldwin.

"This bipartisan legislation will empower institutions like Tidewater Community College to harness and grow the Hampton Roads region's maritime workforce so that as the maritime economy develops and new sectors like offshore energy come online, there will be a home-grown local workforce ready to fill those jobs," said Senator Kaine.

"The Port of South Louisiana is confident that [Senator Vitter's] bill would benefit Louisiana's robust maritime and energy industry through industry-specific training at Louisiana's community and technical colleges," said Paul Aucoin, Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana.

"The South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission would like to thank [Senator Vitter] for introducing the Senate version of the Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act," said Patrick Dufresne, Executive Port Director and CEO of the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission.

"[Senator Vitter's] bill proposes the creation of a new program that would directly address the critical need to train workers in the maritime and energy industries," said Sean Duffy, Sr., President of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of New Orleans.

"While the maritime workforce has proven to be strong and resilient, there is a need to upgrade the skills and capacity of the industry to ensure the future viability of the Merchant Marine," said Joseph Accardo, Jr., Executive Director of the Ports Association of Louisiana. "This bill would benefit the Louisiana industry through training at Louisiana community and technical colleges."

"The Port of Iberia would like to thank you [Senator Vitter] for introducing the Senate version of the Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act. The Port of Iberia is confident that your bill would benefit Louisiana's robust maritime and energy industry," said Craig Romero, Executive Director of the Port of Iberia District.

"The marine transportation system is a core component of our economic and national security, and it is vital to the growing domestic energy industry. The Big River Coalition truly believes Louisiana's industries would benefit from the increased workforce development capacity-building assistance under this proposed legislation," said Sean Duffy, Sr., Executive Director, Big River Coalition.

"Delgado Community College looks forward to fulfilling its commitment to serve the people of the greater New Orleans region through education that enhances employment opportunities and economic growth. We applaud legislative action that supports that commitment," said Joan Davis, Chancellor of Delgado Community College.

"Fletcher Technical Community College and South Central Louisiana Technical College, along with all of the Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges, look forward to the increased training opportunities this legislation will bring to our state and the nation's maritime workforce. The energy industry is the heart of our economy, and in Louisiana the energy industry and the maritime industry work closely as a team serving the needs of our state and our nation. This important legislation will help provide the training needed by maritime workers in their important role of supporting the energy industry," said Earl Meador, J.D., Interim Chancellor of Fletcher Technical Community College and Director of the South Central Louisiana Technical College.

The Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act authorizes $12 million in each of the next three fiscal years to support two programs to help community and technical colleges, as well as public four-year institutions, bolster their job training efforts in the maritime and energy industries through:

Maritime and Energy Workforce Training Grants

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants (between $1 million and $1.5 million) to eligible colleges to expand maritime and energy workforce training programs, including by admitting more students, training faculty, expanding facilities, creating maritime career pathways from associate to baccalaureate degrees, awarding credit for prior learning experience, or increasing cooperation with federal agencies. The grants are provided for three-year periods.

These grants may be used for:

Training related to maritime transportation, logistics, supply chain management, shipbuilding and ship repair;
Enhancement of workforce training, to include certifications and apprenticeships, for relevant maritime employment categories, such as tankerman, deckhand, and able body seaman;
Salary supplementation for faculty in maritime training;
Operation of ship simulators, fire suppression equipment, marine fueling equipment, and measuring and sampling instruments;
Acquisition of maritime training equipment;
Renovation or construction of buildings used in maritime training (limited to 50% of any grant award); and
Tuition reimbursement for successful completion of a maritime course, program, or certification.

Centers of Excellence

The bill authorizes grants (of no more than $1.5 million) for up to 10 colleges to establish Centers of Excellence (COE) in maritime and energy workforce training, to expand workforce training opportunities, and to assist with job placement. It gives priority to colleges with an existing partnership with federal agencies or other public or private partners. The bill also allows each COE to use grants to develop an agenda for maritime and energy training; fund expansion of maritime and energy training and education; or publish or otherwise disseminate findings relating to best practices in maritime and energy training and education.

To be eligible for either program, an institution must be a community college or other public postsecondary educational institution located in close proximity to marine or port facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, or Great Lakes offering a maritime training and education program, and which has an established association with a port authority or other established seaport or inland port facility, as well as an appropriate federal or other government agency (such as the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security, or Transportation). The institution must also provide for an admissions preference for veterans.

Learn more about the Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act here.

Senator Vitter has been a champion for Louisiana's maritime and energy industries, and earlier this year was named the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) 2015 "Port Person of the Year." Louisiana's maritime industry ranks first in the nation, and over the years, Vitter has worked to ensure that several Louisiana projects have the funds and resources they need to move forward in a timely manner. In 2014, Vitter was the lead Senate Republican on the Water Resources and Reform Development Act, which directly benefited Louisiana by including coastal restoration, authorization for Morganza to the Gulf, and an increase in Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund expenditures.

In late June, Representatives Gene Green (R-TX), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced an identical bill in the House of Representatives.

Supporters of the Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act include:

Ace Marine, Green Bay, WI

The Apprentice School, Newport News, VA

Bay Shipping Co., Sturgeon Bay, WI

Bergerson Marine Construction, Astoria, OR

Big River Coalition

Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, WI

City of Deer Park, TX

City of Key West, FL

City of Marathon, FL

City of Morgan's Point, TX

City of Seabrook, TX

Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR

Columbia River Pilots, OR

Columbia River Steamship Operators, OR

Commonwealth of Virginia

Cruiser Yachts, Oconto, WI

Delgado Community College, New Orleans, LA

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, TX

Fincantieri Marine Group, DePere, WI

Fletcher Technical Community College, Houma, LA

Florida Keys Community College, Key West, FL

Foss Maritime, OR and WA

Golden Alaska Fisheries, WA

Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, FL

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, VA

Houston Pilots, Houston, TX

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA

Hydrokinetic Energy Corp., Key West, FL

Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, FL

Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, FL

Key West Yacht Club, FL

Kiwi's Water Taxi Service, OR

Knudson Towing, WA

Leidos, OR

Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LA

Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, FL

Lower Keys Medical Center, FL

Marathon Boat Yard Marine Center, FL

Maritime Fire and Safety Association, OR and WA

Marinette Marine Corp., DePere, WI

Marquis Yachts, Pulaski, WI

Military Affairs Committee of Key West, FL

Navy League of the United States, Arlington, VA

Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA

North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance, WI

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, WI

Olympic Tug and Barge, WA

Oregon Sea Grant, OR

Oregon State Marine Board, OR

Pacific Dawn Fisheries, OR and WA

Pacific Norwest Defense Coalition, OR and WA

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, OR and WA

Palmer Johnson Yachts, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Portland Merchants Exchange, WA

Portland Spirit Cruise Line, OR

Port of Astoria, OR

Port of Key West, FL

Port of Longview, WA

San Jacinto College, Houston, TX

The Honorable Rick Scott, Governor of Florida

Shaver Transportation, OR

South Central Louisiana Technical College, Morgan City, LA

Sumitomo Drive Technologies, Chesapeake, VA

Tidewater Barge Lines, WA

Tidewater Community College, Norfolk, VA

Village of Islamorada, FL

Virginia Port Authority, Norfolk, VA

Virginia Ship Repair Association, Norfolk, VA

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