We Need Bold Government Investments to Prepare the U.S. Workforce for Autonomous Vehicles
Here are three steps that federal, state, and local policymakers can take
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are set to completely transform the future of transportation in our cities. And with predictions that indicate one in 10 vehicles will be self-driving by 2030, there is no doubt that the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles is well on its way.
Autonomous vehicles will not only change the nature of how people move from point A to point B. They are also expected to deliver significant improvements in traffic safety and increase mobility for minority, elderly and disabled communities.
For many policymakers, the safe adoption and deployment of AVs remains a central topic. In a recent letter, 12 U.S. Senate Democrats called on Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to develop a comprehensive federal framework for AV deployment. This effort would bolster AVs benefits through sound policymaking while addressing many of the reasonable concerns policymakers and labor advocates have raised about the impact of automation on jobs.
Autonomous Vehicles and Future Jobs
Despite forecasts that estimate 2 million jobs will likely be impacted over time by AV adoption, new jobs will be formed too. A recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation confirmed advanced driving automation would increase demand for new types of jobs specifically in the transportation and logistics industries, among other business sectors.
But for those holding jobs most vulnerable to the AV transition — such as delivery and heavy truck drivers, bus drivers, and taxi and chauffeur drivers — these projections offer little consolation. The prospect of having to learn and develop new skills can be daunting.
To ensure that workers aren’t left behind, policymakers and industry leaders must not only work to comprehend the magnitude of autonomous driving and the effects it will have on our workforce — but also take proactive measures in effectively readying workers.
The good news is that government leaders at every level are already taking steps to ensure innovation in this field continues to benefit everyone.
Federal Investments for Workforce Development
At the federal level, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and members of the House Committee on Education and Labor, have led efforts to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) — a vital legislative tool for addressing workforce needs for low-income adults, youth, and dislocated workers. If passed in both chambers, the proposed bill would allocate approximately $78 billion toward workforce development training and career service programs over the next six years.
Authorized funding for WIOA would be profoundly impactful in addressing skill gaps for future AV-related jobs. For Black and Latino workers, who are most susceptible to job loss, re-skilling programs and training courses can be the difference between upward mobility and economic despair for generations.
The House package offers promising opportunities to help prepare workers for the automated driving jobs that are coming. But it’s not a cure-all. While the bill makes its way through Congress, government leaders at the state and local levels can take action too.
Here are three steps that elected officials can take now to ensure a robust skilled workforce is set in place for AVs’ arrival.
First, although technology and automation at large are not deterministic of any particular outcome, government leaders need to collect better data about potential job impacts from automation.
The Partnership for Transportation Innovation and Opportunity recently highlighted key legislation that would allow for a stronger data infrastructure in their recently released Workforce Policy Agenda. Local leaders who are closest to the U.S. workforce by nature require administrative support to adequately capture the useful data that lies within their communities. It is especially important to collect the disaggregated data of workers within impacted fields, particularly demographic data, in order to identify communities that are being overlooked. Policymakers should increase administrative funding to build capacity for more sophisticated data collection.
Second, government leaders should empower their local workforce boards to be forward-thinking. Typically, federal workforce development funding and initiatives, like WIOA, are passed on to the states and then channeled to local workforce boards depending on need.
The past has shown that local workforce boards tend to address the current needs of the workforce — often missing the mark when it comes to new technologies. With about 85% of funding landing in the hands of local councils, it is critical that they not only understand the local market but also ensure that the types of training programs offered will meet future workforce needs.
Lastly, government leaders should place greater emphasis on skills development through increased partnerships with AV manufacturers. Autonomous vehicle companies have already taken the lead in partnering with local community colleges in preparing the workforce for autonomous vehicles and other technologies. Increased investments in similar programs can help create a recurring training system that will maintain an agile workforce. With industry’s insights as to what the jobs of the future will be, government agencies can do a better job of preparing people for those jobs.
The advent of autonomous vehicles will bring life-altering changes to the lives of so many, but government and the private sector must work proactively to address any shifts in the workforce. Historically, it has taken both government and industry leaders playing an active role in equipping our workforce with the tools needed to navigate future changes. Congress must take the first step by re-authorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. And state and local leaders can make sure that their existing training programs adapt to help people fill the jobs that are coming soon.
The Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a new center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future. We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.
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