### §8693. Biennial report on shipbuilder training and the defense industrial base

(a) In General.—Not later than February 1 of each even-numbered year until 2026, the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives a report on shipbuilder training and hiring requirements necessary to achieve the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan and to maintain the shipbuilding readiness of the defense industrial base. Each such report shall include each of the following:

(1) An analysis and estimate of the time and investment required for new shipbuilders to gain proficiency in particular shipbuilding occupational specialties, including detailed information about the occupational specialty requirements necessary for construction of naval surface ship and submarine classes to be included in the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan.

(2) An analysis of the age demographics and occupational experience level (measured in years of experience) of the shipbuilding defense industrial workforce.

(3) An analysis of the potential time and investment challenges associated with developing and retaining shipbuilding skills in organizations that lack intermediate levels of shipbuilding experience.

(4) Recommendations concerning how to address shipbuilder training during periods of demographic transition and evolving naval fleet architecture consistent with the Navy's most recent Integrated Force Structure Assessment.

(5) An analysis of whether emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, may aid in new shipbuilder training.

(6) Recommendations concerning how to encourage young adults to enter the defense shipbuilding industry and to develop the skills necessary to support the shipbuilding defense industrial base.

(7) An analysis of the potential benefits of multi-year procurement contracting for the stability of the shipbuilding defense industrial base.

(b) Solicitation and Analysis of Information.—In order to carry out subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of Labor shall—

(1) solicit information regarding the age demographics and occupational experience level from the private shipyards of the shipbuilding defense industrial base; and

(2) analyze such information for findings relevant to carrying out subsection (a)(2), including findings related to the current and projected defense shipbuilding workforce, current and projected labor needs, and the readiness of the current and projected workforce to supply the proficiencies analyzed in subsection (a)(1).

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, §1026(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3843, §8692; renumbered §8693 and amended Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title X, §1015, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1894.)

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### Prior Provisions

A prior section 8693, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 538, provided for replacement of a lost or destroyed certificate of discharge from Air Force, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 90–235, §7(a)(3), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 763. See section 1040 of this title.

#### Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, §1015(a), renumbered section 8692 of this title, as added by section 1026(a) of Pub. L. 116–283, as this section.

Pub. L. 117–81, §1015(b)(1), (3), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 117–81, §1015(b)(2), added par. (7).

#### **Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries**

#### Change of Name

Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.