Career and Technical Education Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as Career and Technical Education Month. Each year, this month highlights the benefits of a skills-based education and the valuable contributions that CTE students make to the American workforce and the American economy.

More specifically, February 2 through February 8 is SkillsUSA Week. SkillsUSA is a leader in the CTE movement. This annual celebration represents nearly 370,000 SkillsUSA members across the country who are developing the personal, workplace, and technical skills necessary to earn and keep good-paying and rewarding jobs.

A one-size-fits-all approach to education is not an effective way to prepare students for the workforce. We are doing students a great disservice when we only promote what is considered a traditional college experience.

When we look at the potential of our Nation's learners and contrast that with the 7 million unfilled jobs nationwide, clearly, there is a disconnect. This is often referred to as the skills gap, and CTE can help us bridge this divide.

Now, I have the privilege of serving as the co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus alongside my colleague and good friend, Congressman Jim Langevin.

Over the years, we have met with many educators, counselors, administrators, and students to better understand the resources necessary to support learners of all ages.

I am proud of the legislation that we have put forward to ensure students have the tools they need to pursue a rewarding education, and, eventually, a rewarding career.

With this kind of support, we can help empower students and better prepare them for a 21st century workforce. Most recently, that includes H.R. 5092, the Counseling for Career Choice Act, a bill that would invest in career counseling for high school students as well as professional development opportunities for the counselors who support them.

Career and technical education is not a plan B. It is a valuable educational option that is empowering learners of all ages to take control of their personal and professional futures.

To me, the ideal educational system is one that allows students to get in with as few barriers to entry as possible, get the education that they need, and get out. By providing students with a clear picture of what the workforce entails--or, more specifically, by investing in career and technical education--we can help make that a reality.

Madam Speaker, I am asking my colleagues to join me in celebrating Career and Technical Education Month by supporting the Counseling for Career Choice Act and other commonsense, bipartisan bills that help provide quality CTE opportunities to our Nation's students.

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