STEM RESTART act aims to help mid-career professionals reenter workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. (VDN) — U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has joined a bipartisan push to help mid-career professionals reenter the fast-paced STEM workforce through paid “returnships” at small and mid-sized businesses, part of legislation reintroduced this week that aims to close the skills gap and support working families.

The STEM Restoring Employment Skills through Targeted Assistance, Re-entry, and Training (STEM RESTART) Act, co-led by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), would create a federal grant program to fund structured, short-term paid positions designed to help experienced professionals—especially those who’ve taken career breaks—transition back into science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

“Many skilled professionals step away from the workforce, but face significant barriers when trying to return, especially in technical fields where innovation moves fast,” Hyde-Smith said. “Our legislation equips small and mid-sized businesses with the tools to tap into this valuable talent pool. This will help hardworking Americans reconnect with meaningful careers while growing the STEM workforce in states like Mississippi and beyond.”

“When we invest in STEM education and workforce development, we can open the door to successful careers in some of the most in-demand industries,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan bill to help give workers the training and tools they need to enter new STEM careers. I’ll keep working across party lines to make sure all Nevadans have the skills needed to fill good-paying jobs.” 

The STEM RESTART Act would benefit individuals who have taken a break from the workforce and want to transition back into these high-demand careers. It would encourage businesses to base hiring on real-world experience rather than resumés alone by giving returning workers a chance to demonstrate their skills through a paid returnship program.

Specifically, the STEM RESTART Act:

• Allocates $50 million per year in grant funding for small and medium-sized businesses to establish returnships for qualified talent in in-demand industries within the STEM workforce.
• Requires any grant-funded returnship to last at least 10 weeks and includes assurances of how the program will build upon returning workers’ skills. Requires the Secretary of Labor to track and report to Congress on the use of funding by grantees.  Also sets parameters for who can apply for grant funds and limits initial funding to five years.
• Allows small and medium-sized businesses within in-demand industries – as determined by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act standards and State and local workforce development strategies – to apply for grant funds.  Also allows grantees to collaborate with other providers, including universities and nonprofit organizations, to provide the best returnship experience.
• Ensures that returning workers must be provided payment and benefits equivalent to a grantee’s existing non-entry-level employees.  Allows for grant funds to be used for benefits and incentives, such as childcare and necessary travel or training expenses.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is also an original cosponsor of the STEM RESTART Act.  U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.) are sponsoring identical bipartisan legislation in the House.