Senate Resolution 79--Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Career and Technical Education Month

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, our Nation's continued economic progress and the social mobility of our citizens are contingent on the education and skills of the American workforce and its ability to adjust and fulfill the needs of the 21st century economy. Career and technical education (CTE) programs are an essential piece of every student's education, providing them access to the important knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to obtain careers in rapidly growing, high- demand fields. Today, approximately 12.2 million students across the Nation are enrolled in CTE programs offered by thousands of career academies, comprehensive high schools, CTE high schools, community colleges, and CTE centers. Through intentionally designed applied learning, these students gain workplace skills and technical training that mirror in-demand positions in the workforce.

In the coming decade, a projected 3 million skilled workers will be needed to fill infrastructure positions in the United States, including jobs related to designing, building, and operating transportation, housing, telecommunication, and utilities facilities. CTE programs intentionally match employability skills with workforce demands, lowering the probability of students dropping out of high school and increasing their likelihood of graduating on time. These skills-based training programs will help fill the estimated 30 million U.S. jobs available with an average income annual income of $55,000 that do not require a bachelor's degree yet necessitate some level of postsecondary education.

Across Virginia, I hear from manufacturers frustrated by the shortage of qualified skilled production employees--roles that require the training and instruction provided in CTE classrooms. It is essential that we elevate the important role of CTE in the country's ability to meet the interconnected challenges of economic development, student achievement, and global competitiveness. Last year, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE by passing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act which supports CTE programs in secondary and postsecondary education.

Today, with my Senate CTE Caucus co-chairs Senator Portman, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Young and 47 colleagues in the Senate, I am pleased to introduce a bipartisan resolution to designate February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month. CTE Month encourages students, parents, counselors, educators, and school leaders to learn more about the diverse educational opportunities offered in their communities, and recognize the valuable role of CTE in developing a well-educated and highly skilled workforce in the United States.

By formally recognizing CTE Month through this resolution, it is our aim to raise greater awareness of the importance of improving access to high-quality CTE for millions of America's students and our nation's ongoing economic competitiveness.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source