United States Congress

In Michigan, we have a long and rich tradition of manufacturing. Our state's hardworking men and women are second to none and our manufacturing industry is a leading driver of good-paying jobs and economic growth.

In recognition of National Manufacturing Day, I recently had the opportunity to speak with students about career and technical education and tour manufacturing facilities in the 7th District, including Lomar Machine and Tool Company in Horton.

To boost manufacturing and innovation in Michigan, we need to continue to invest in a skilled workforce and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in manufacturing, engineering, and technology-related fields.

The demand for workers with hands-on experience is high. An estimated 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be created in the next decade. Yet two million of them, according to the Manufacturing Institute, are expected to go unfilled.

In the House, Republicans and Democrats worked together in an effort to bridge this gap and help more students and workers enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed. The bipartisan legislation, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, improves and updates the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which has provided federal support to state and local career and technical education programs for more than 30 years.

The bill also empowers state and local leaders to partner with local employers and provides flexibility to target resources to the needs of individual communities—all while reducing red tape from federal bureaucrats.

When the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act passed the House, Mark Pogliano, Jackson Area Career Center principal, called it a "major step in the right direction to help provide our students and schools the opportunity to get the career skills that will lead to greater economic growth."

Pogliano went on to say: "As an educator, I look forward to the implementation of this Act to help our CTE programs evolve to provide the cutting-edge skills that will help grow our workforce and economy."

In today's job market, securing a rewarding, fulfilling career often requires a good amount of education. Some students pursue a four-year degree at a college or university while others find their sweet spot at a community college or technical school.

We need to celebrate the fact that not everyone follows the same path and move beyond the notion that a four-year degree is the only way to climb the ladder of opportunity.

Career and technical education programs have helped numerous students thrive and develop a diverse and marketable skillset that prospective employers are seeking. Modernizing and expanding these programs will help more young adults obtain the in-demand skills and jobs of the future.

Michigan is proudly the heartland of American manufacturing, and investing in a talented and dynamic workforce is critical to keeping our state competitive and on the forefront of innovation.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, represents the 7th Congressional District and is a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. This op-ed originally appeared in the October 30 edition of the Jackson Citizen Patriot.