Positioning NDT For the Future
As workforce shortages continue to affect critical industries nationwide, skilled trades and technical workforce development have become a growing focus in Washington.
Over the past several months, ASNT has continued expanding its advocacy efforts to ensure the nondestructive testing (NDT) profession is represented in those discussions. Most recently, ASNT submitted letters of support for both the START Act (Streamlining Timely Apprenticeship Registration and Transparency) and the WAGES Act (Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support), two pieces of legislation focused on strengthening workforce development and expanding apprenticeship opportunities across technical industries.
The START Act focuses on improving and streamlining the federal apprenticeship registration process while increasing transparency and accountability within the apprenticeship system. The WAGES Act is designed to support and expand employer-led apprenticeship programs and workforce training investments.
These efforts reflect a broader shift in ASNT’s advocacy strategy. Rather than simply raising awareness of the profession, ASNT is working to help shape policy conversations that directly impact the future of the NDT workforce.
Congressional interest in workforce policy continues to grow as industries across the country face increasing labor shortages, workforce retirements, and rising demand for technical talent. In addition to supporting existing legislation, ASNT is actively exploring opportunities to introduce its own workforce and apprenticeship-focused legislative concepts that better align with the unique training, qualification, and competency needs of the NDT profession.
For the NDT profession, these policy discussions matter because workforce shortages, training capacity, and long-term talent pipeline development are becoming increasingly tied to broader economic and infrastructure priorities.
The START Act and WAGES Act also reflect a broader policy shift taking place in Washington. Lawmakers are increasingly looking at how federal workforce policy can better support employer-driven training models, modernize apprenticeship systems, and reduce barriers that prevent industries from building long-term workforce pipelines.
ASNT’s recent Day on the Hill (see recap on page 62) further reinforced the significant momentum currently surrounding workforce and skilled trades policy. During meetings with congressional offices and federal stakeholders, workforce development consistently emerged as one of the most discussed topics. More importantly, many offices were not simply asking about workforce shortages. They were asking what industry-led solutions could look like and how organizations like ASNT can help support long-term workforce strategies.
Those conversations continue to shape ASNT’s advocacy priorities moving forward.
These efforts are intended to support employers, strengthen workforce pathways, and help ensure federal workforce policies recognize the critical role NDT plays across infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, transportation, defense, and other sectors.
Advocacy today is no longer limited to monitoring legislation or responding to policy proposals after they are introduced. Industry organizations increasingly have the opportunity to inform policymakers before legislation is drafted and while workforce initiatives are still being developed. That is where ASNT intends to continue building its presence.
As federal workforce policy continues to evolve, ASNT intends to remain actively engaged in shaping legislation and workforce strategies that will impact the future of the NDT profession.
Garra Liming is the Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs at ASNT. She can be reached at govrelations@asnt.org.
