On behalf of the 400 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I am writing to share our support for S. 912, the Mining Schools Act of 2023 and thank you for your leadership in drafting this critical legislation. NSSGA represents aggregates producers and those who manufacture equipment and services that support the construction industry. As you may know, our nation’s mining schools are critical to the work of the aggregates industry as they train the next generation of engineers and experts needed to build and operate the thousands of mines that supply over 2.56 billion tons of aggregates each year. The aggregates industry works closely with our mining schools, providing internships, resources, and on the ground training to students. Further, it is estimated that approximately 50% of the graduating students at these schools find gainful and high paying employment within the ranks of NSSGA member companies upon graduation.