Job training programs that provide hands-on experience for high school and community college students would be easier to access and more flexible for states trying to meet changing workforce needs under a bipartisan bill that passed the House on Thursday.
The Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act, H.R. 2353, would make the most comprehensive reforms to the nation’s career and technical education (CTE) programs since 2006. The bill reauthorizes and modernizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which first began providing federal support to state and local CTE programs in 1984.
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), the co-chairman of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, the bill aims to permanently close the nation’s skills gap by creating clear pathways to education and training programs for in-demand jobs. The measure garnered strong support from U.S. Reps. French Hill (R-AR), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Mimi Walters (R-CA) and Don Bacon (R-NE).
Thompson called the House vote a win for the American worker. “This bill will work to restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity for every American regardless of age or background,” Thompson said.
Over the next 10 years, the United States will need to fill up to 3.5 million manufacturing jobs, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. The reform bill would enhance career and technical education programs by focusing on work-based learning opportunities and appropriate credentialing in order to prepare all students, including historically disadvantaged students, with the skills they need to compete in today’s global economy.
“Unfortunately, it has been more than a decade since the law supporting these efforts has been updated,” Bacon said. “As a result, there are millions of jobs across the country which remain unfilled due to the ‘skills gap’.”
H.R. 2353 would build partnerships by including businesses in drafting education and employment goals, and it would ensure that students attain the skills and training that align with jobs that are in demand in their local communities.
With 6 million unfilled jobs across the nation due to the skills gap, Hill, the co-chairman of the Congressional Skilled American Workforce Caucus, said he hears regularly from Arkansas employers about the challenge of filling important and well-paying jobs.
“Our challenge in Congress is alerting people that these good jobs exist and promoting policies that offer American workers and students different types of training to match our diverse job market,” Hill said. Thursday’s bipartisan vote is just “an example of Congress doing our part to help our young people better prepare for their futures,” he added.
Moolenaar noted the local impact the bill would have on Michigan’s fourth congressional district, where all 15 counties have career centers that operate under the Michigan Center for Career and Technical Education.
“(Thursday’s) legislation helps students in mid and northern Michigan pursue good-paying jobs in the skilled trades,” Moolenaar said. “Making sure students are learning these critical skills is vital to maintaining Michigan’s talented workforce and world-leading manufacturing base.”
LaHood, who met with community leaders in Illinois to talk about CTE ahead of the bill’s passage, said the bill was about fostering the next generation of tradesmen.
“By providing the necessary resources for schools and local programs, more students and professionals in the trades will have increased avenues for better education and training to help obtain good-paying jobs,” LaHood said. “The programs established in central and west-central Illinois continue to prove that this funding is necessary to creating more jobs and opportunities for those exploring the trades or looking for a new direction within their careers.”
H.R. 2353 would also ensure that states have the flexibility to meet changing workforce needs, a step that Walters said would help cultivate a talented workforce to fill high-skilled, high-paying jobs.
“Local career development programs are successful because they are tailored to their unique communities,” Walters said. “This bill will ensure that community leaders have the flexibility to develop programs that meet their local needs, not Washington’s.”
Parents, students and local stakeholders would have a voice in setting performance goals and evaluating whether state and local education programs are effective. The legislation also aims to reduce red tape by streamlining application processes and requirements for states seeking federal CTE support.
California’s 45th district is home to some of the most innovative skills-focused education programs in the country, Walters said. Three regional occupational programs as well as high school and community college courses have set the stage for students to succeed in the workplace.
“The distinguished graduates of these programs have made important contributions to our community, and I look forward to seeing these programs continue to thrive under this legislation,” she added.