PILOT PROGRAM TO TRAIN SKILLED TECHNICIANS IN CRITICAL SHIPBUILDING SKILLS.

SEC. 357. [10 U.S.C. 8685 note] PILOT PROGRAM TO TRAIN SKILLED TECHNICIANS IN CRITICAL SHIPBUILDING SKILLS. (a) Establishment.—The Secretary of the Navy may carry out a pilot program to train individuals to become skilled technicians in critical shipbuilding skills such as welding, metrology, quality assurance, machining, and additive manufacturing. (b) Partnerships.—In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary may partner with existing Federal or State projects relating to investment and infrastructure in training and education or workforce development, such as the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program of the Department of Defense, and the National Maritime Educational Council. (c) Termination.—The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2025. (d) Briefings.—If the Secretary carries out a pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall provide briefings to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives as follows: (1) Not later than 30 days before beginning to implement the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide a briefing on the plan, cost estimate, and schedule for the pilot program. (2) Not less frequently than annually during the period when the pilot program is carried out, the Secretary shall provide briefings on the progress of the Secretary in carrying out the pilot program.