The House has passed legislation to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act that is similar to a Perkins bill it passed last year.
House leaders noted that the bill approved by voice vote on Thursday will help prepare more Americans with the skills they need for available jobs.
“Jobs are going unfilled as employers face a shortage of skilled workers,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), who co-introduced the bill. “Stronger career and technical education programs are exactly what this country needs to prepare our workers for the demands of a 21st century economy and meet the needs of employers.”
H.R. 2354 would reform the Perkins CTE Act, but would retain much of its current structure. It would update accountability measures, aligning them more closely with those authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It also would provide for greater collaboration between colleges and businesses.
“This bipartisan bill opens the door for more innovation in workforce development with the help of community leaders, educational institutions, and private business,” Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina), chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said in a statement following the House vote. Her committee unanimously passed the bill last month.
The Senate has yet to unveil its bill to rework Perkins.
Below, comments by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina) on the House floor in support of the Perkins bill.
