U.S. House passes bill introduced by Rep. Thompson to help strengthen career technical education

In an effort to strengthen career and technical education, a local congressman helped draft a bill that would reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

U.S. Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-Howard Township), co-chairman of the House Career and Technical Education Caucus, and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) introduced the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. It was passed last month by the House of Representatives.

“(The) vote is a win for the American worker,” Thompson said in a statement. “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.”

Calling the act, “a well-engineered, bipartisan re-authorization aimed at permanently closing our nation’s skills gap,” Thompson said the bill will “work to restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity for every American regardless of age or background.”

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act provides federal support to state and local career and technical education programs.

Author: Britney Milazzo
Original Article