article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Work Force Enhancement for Technology Transfer Act''. SEC. 2. FINDING AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.--Congress finds and declares the following: (1) Skilled American workers are as essential to the Nation's productivity and long-term competitiveness as are new technologies. As technologies become more sophisticated and computer controlled, managers and other workers in manufacturing firms who are skilled in the effective utilization and operation of those advanced and modern technologies will become increasingly important to the Nation's international competitiveness, standard of living, and national security. (2) When United States manufacturing firms invest in advanced and modern technologies, they can increase their productivity and competitiveness by simultaneously investing in targeted worker training for the effective utilization and operation of those specific technologies. (3) United States manufacturing firms, particularly smaller firms, are increasingly turning to the expanding technology extension activities of the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology for technical and managerial assistance in order to identify and install the best and most appropriate advanced and modern technologies. (4) With its extensive knowledge of the best available technologies, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with its associated Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology and, when established, its Manufacturing Outreach Centers, can provide training in the effective utilization and operation of these technologies, can promote the development of effective training materials for these technologies, and can serve as a clearinghouse for information on the best available training materials. (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to enhance the international competitiveness, standard of living, and national security of the United States by expanding the current technology extension activities of the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Institute'') to include worker training in the effective utilization and operation of specific advanced and modern technologies. SEC. 3. WORKER TRAINING ACTIVITIES. In addition to existing responsibilities and authorities prescribed by law, the Secretary of Commerce (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary''), through the Director of the Institute (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Director''), shall direct Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology and, when established, Manufacturing Outreach Centers, to utilize, when appropriate, their expertise and capability to assist managers and other workers in United States manufacturing firms in effectively utilizing and operating advanced and modern technologies-- (1) by making available assessments of the needs of United States manufacturing firms for worker training in the effective utilization and operation of specific technologies the firms have adopted or are planning to adopt; (2) by making available to United States manufacturing firms information on commercially and publicly provided worker training services, including those provided by United States sources of technologies, in the effective utilization and operation of specific technologies the firms have adopted or are planning to adopt; and (3) by making available to United States manufacturing firms accessible and affordable training services for the effective utilization and operation of specific technologies the firms have adopted or are planning to adopt when such training is not available from commercially or other publicly provided training services. SEC. 4. WORKER TRAINING ANALYSIS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION. In addition to existing responsibilities and authorities prescribed by law, the Secretary, through the Director and in consultation with appropriate Federal officials and with leaders of industry and labor, shall assist managers and other workers in United States manufacturing firms in effectively utilizing and operating advanced and modern technologies-- (1) by establishing and managing a clearinghouse for information, to be available through the National Technology Transfer Center to the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology, to the Manufacturing Outreach Centers when they are established, to other technology training entities, or directly to United States manufacturing firms, on the best available training material and services for the effective utilization and operation of specific advanced and modern technologies; (2) by encouraging United States providers of advanced and modern technologies for manufacturing firms to develop training material specifically designed for the managers and other workers responsible for utilizing and operating such technologies; and (3) by establishing as an important criterion in the assessment of advanced and modern technologies the availability of training material specifically designed for the managers and other workers responsible for utilizing and operating such technologies. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the establishment and management of a technology training clearinghouse $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996.
summary: Work Force Enhancement for Technology Transfer Act - Requires the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to direct Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology and, when established, Manufacturing Outreach Centers, to assist managers and other workers in U.S. manufacturing firms in using advanced and modern technologies, through needs assessments, information, and training services. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to assist such managers and other workers in such use by: (1) establishing an information clearinghouse on the best available training material and services; (2) encouraging U.S. providers of such technologies for manufacturing firms to develop training material specifically designed for the managers and other workers responsible; and (3) establishing the availability of such specifically designed training material as an important criterion in assessing such technologies. Authorizes appropriations for a technology training clearinghouse.