Minnesota Congressman John Kline's House Committee on Education and the Workforce today approved H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to help more Americans enter the workforce with the skills they need to compete for high-skilled, in-demand jobs. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 37-0.
WASHINGTON - Minnesota Congressman John Kline's House Committee on Education and the Workforce today approved H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to help more Americans enter the workforce with the skills they need to compete for high-skilled, in-demand jobs. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 37-0.
“Today, we’ve taken another important step to ensure every American has access to the skills and education they need to compete in the workforce,” said Kline, Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce committee. “Career and technical education has placed countless individuals on the path to success, and this bipartisan legislation will empower more individuals to follow that same path. It includes numerous reforms to prepare students for high-demand jobs that exist today, not the jobs that existed years ago. I am pleased we could work together to strengthen career and technical education and to help more Americans succeed in the workforce.”
Since 1984, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act has provided federal support to state and local career and technical education (CTE) programs. These programs offer students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to compete for jobs in a broad range of fields, such as health care and technology. However, because federal law has not been updated in more than a decade, it no longer reflects the realities and challenges facing students and workers.
Building on recent reforms to K-12 education and the workforce development system, the bipartisan legislation will:
-- Deliver states more flexibility to use federal resources in response to changing education and economic needs.
-- Ensure career and technical education prepares all students, including historically disadvantaged and vulnerable students, for success in high-skill, high-wage occupations and careers in nontraditional fields.
-- Improve alignment with in-demand jobs by supporting innovative learning opportunities, building better community partnerships, and encouraging stronger engagement with employers.
-- Enhance career and technical education through increased focus on employability skills, work-based learning opportunities, and meaningful credentialing so students are prepared to enter the workforce poised for success.
-- Streamline performance measures to ensure career and technical education programs deliver results for students and taxpayers.
-- Reduce administrative burdens and simplify the process for states to apply for federal resources.
-- Reward success and innovation by directing federal resources to replicate promising practices that best serve students and employers.
-- Provide parents, students, and stakeholders a voice in setting performance goals and evaluating the effectiveness of local programs.
-- Empower state and local leaders to develop plans that improve the quality of career and technical education and take into account unique local and state needs.
To learn more about today’s markup, click here.
To learn more about H.R. 5587, click here.
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John Kline is the Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He also serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He and his wife, Vicky, live in Burnsville.
