National Panel of Infrastructure Experts Details Priorities

Ivy Tech Community College's Sue Smith Member of Panel

(File Photo)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – National Skills Coalition (NSC) and Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships (BLU) released a six-point policy proposal from its Infrastructure Recovery Panel to inform President Biden and Congress’s economic recovery negotiations.  Sue Smith, Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Applied Science, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana served on the 21-member group of experts -- including business leaders, labor leaders, community college leaders, training providers.

“The pre-COVID workforce challenges and inequities we faced in the United States have not gone away.  In fact they are even greater now in many ways than two years ago.  New jobs that will be created to support new technologies, rebuilding infrastructure, and sustainable recovery cannot be filled without training and upskilling,” said Smith.  “We must invest in training and support along with bricks and mortar to ensure that local workers can access new infrastructure jobs in their communities.” 

Panelists have been meeting with federal officials over the last month in advance of publicly releasing their recommendations. The panel outlined six critical pillars for successful job creation:

1. Include local resident training and employment in plans for federal infrastructure projects.
2. Invest in local industry partnerships to develop targeted, local workforce solutions that meet the needs of workers and local employers. 
3. Invest in equitable infrastructure career pathways.
4. Expand short-term training and flexible apprenticeships. 
5. Help infrastructure workers and employers adopt and adapt to new technologies.
6. Support sustainable community outcomes beyond bricks, mortar, and jobs.