Raja And Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Career And Technical Education

Press Release

Members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce today introduced the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen and improve career and technical education (CTE). Introduced by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), the legislation reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and will help more students gain the knowledge and skills they need to compete for in-demand jobs.

The proposal is largely identical to legislation the House of Representatives passed in September 2016 by an overwhelming vote of 405 to 5. The committee is expected to consider the legislation in the coming weeks, reflecting the urgent priority to improve career and technical education for today's and future generations. Members leading the effort issued the following statements after the bill was introduced:

"Preparing our students and workers for good-paying, middle-class jobs through career and technical education is one of the best investments we can make," Rep. Krishnamoorthi said. "This legislation would modernize and strengthen these vital resources to ensure that students have the skills employers demand in our 21st century economy. The training programs funded by this bill will help hardworking families pursue more fulfilling futures while also supporting our nation's continued leadership in a global economy."

"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," Rep. 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."

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