A bill to improve career and technical education in the nation has unanimously passed both houses of Congress and as of Wednesday, was awaiting action by President Donald Trump.
The U.S. Senate approved the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act on Monday, and the House approved it Wednesday, said U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
Thompson, who introduced the bill with U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., said this is the first major overhaul to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act since 2006. He said this bill has been a long time coming.
“Given the dramatic evolution of our nation’s workforce, it is imperative that we create clear pathways to education and training for students interested in pursuing careers in high-demand industries and technical fields,” Thompson said. “As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud of this bill — a well-engineered, bipartisan reauthorization aimed at permanently closing our nation’s skills gap. This bill will work to restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity for every American regardless of age or background.”
Casey was happy with the bill’s passage as well.
“I am pleased that we were able to work together in a bipartisan manner on legislation that will help ensure that all students and workers get the skills they need to compete for well-paying paying jobs today and in the future,” said Casey.
The act would make updates to career and technical education to ensure all students, including special populations, have access to high-quality programs; help recruit and retain CTE educators, and provide workers and students the skills they need to find high-skill, high-wage or in-demand jobs.
According to Casey, this legislation would encourage states, schools and local CTE providers to update education and job training to meet the needs of the local economies, ensuring students have the skills needed to remain competitive. It would also increase alignment with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and promote collaboration between stakeholders so that high schools, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and local businesses can communicate their needs and coordinate as programs are developed.
The American Federation of Teachers was one of hundreds of organizations that supported the measure.
In a letter sent to Casey supporting the bill, federation President Randi Weingarten said the foundation has “fought for decades to rekindle high-quality career and technical education as a viable option for out students.” This type of education expands opportunities for students, and equips them with “the technical skills and training that are in demand for the good jobs of today and tomorrow. At a time when workers need higher wages and good jobs, this bill is a pathway to help students get there.”
