U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation last week to reauthorize and strengthen career and technical education (CTE) programs, which aim to give students training and experience needed to compete for high-skilled jobs in the modern workforce.
The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act would reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.
“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 to join my colleagues in introducing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act — a well-engineered, bipartisan reauthorization aimed at permanently closing our nation’s skills gap.”
The measure, which Thompson introduced with U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), would give states more flexibility to use federal funding to meet changing educational needs, and it would ensure that historically disadvantaged and vulnerable students have access to CTE programs.
Performance measures would be streamlined, the process for states to apply for federal resources would be simplified, and federal resources would be dedicated to replicating programs that are proven to benefit students and employers under the bill.
Additionally, education would be better aligned with jobs that are most in-demand by encouraging stronger engagement with employers.
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said strengthening CTE programs continues to be a leading priority.
“We came close last year to enacting reforms that would have provided more Americans with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the workforce,” Foxx said. “This is simply too important to students, families and taxpayers, and that is why I am hopeful we will get the job done this year. Reps. Thompson and Krishnamoorthi are to be commended for their leadership, and I look forward to advancing this important bipartisan proposal in the coming weeks.”
The bill is similar to legislation the House passed in September 2016 by a vote of 405 to 5.