Portman’s workforce education bill passes Senate as part of career and technical ed reauthorization

U.S. Senate passage of the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act included a bill U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) authored to bolster education for American workers.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for joining me in supporting this legislation and look forward to swift passage in the House so that we can get this on the president’s desk soon,” said Sen. Portman, co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, following the chamber’s passage of S. 3217, which would reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

S. 3217 includes the Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, S. 628, which Sen. Portman introduced last March with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) to allow states and localities to use federal Perkins grant funding to establish CTE-focused academies.

“When I travel Ohio, employers of all sizes stress the urgent need to bridge the skills gap,” said Sen. Portman. “Ohioans should have the chance to acquire the training needed for today’s jobs, and this legislation ensures that is possible, regardless of economic standing,” Sen. Portman said, referring to the larger S. 3217.

His bill, S. 628, also would amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to revise the requirements for the plan of a state seeking federal assistance for CTE programs, according to the congressional record summary. The state plan would be required to describe how the eligible state agency would ensure the quality of any program of study culminating in an industry-recognized certificate, credential or license, according to the summary.

“I’m also pleased that this legislation includes my Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which will improve the quality of CTE programs so kids get a better education using the equipment and the standards of today’s industry,” said Sen. Portman.

Among several provisions, S. 628 “includes important accountability information for our most vulnerable students on how well CTE programs are performing so we can ensure quality information and access to programs that meet the needs of students and parents,” he added.

S. 3217 now heads to the U.S. House for approval.