Comment on U.S. labor secretary to visit BIW, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

PORTLAND — U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez is visiting Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to talk about training partnerships that address the need for a skilled workforce. Sen. Susan Collins, who extended the invitation, says Wednesday’s visit will highlight the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The first major reform of federal job training programs in 15 years passed last year with strong bipartisan support. The Maine Republican will accompany Perez on a visit to Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works before heading south to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which overhauls nuclear submarines.