Langevin
an Original Co-Sponsor on Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act
The
House passed H.R.
5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st
Century Act, a bill
championed by Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Congressman Glenn ‘GT’
Thompson (R-PA), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical
Education (CTE) Caucus, and Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA). Langevin is
an original cosponsor of the bill, which reauthorizes and modernizes the Carl
D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act.“I have always taken pride in my ability to work in a bipartisan manner, and this legislation is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we come together to support meaningful, important policy. Career and technical education is a critical piece of workforce development, and I am fortunate to have a fierce partner in Congressman Thompson,” said Langevin. “This legislation makes many necessary updates to the Perkins Act, with an emphasis on training students for the skills they’ll need in high-growth sectors in this 21st century economy.”
The
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
is the first reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins CTE Act since the bill
expired in 2012. It better connects classrooms with workforce trends and
encourages strong partnerships between educators, employers, and community
partners, ensuring opportunities for underserved students, in particular. The
legislation also promotes the implementation of innovative CTE programs,
improving outcomes through an increased focus on employability skills,
work-based learning opportunities, and meaningful credentialing that would make
students more competitive. Additionally, the bill includes components of
Langevin’s Counseling for Career Choice Act and provides stronger supports so
that professional school counselors can appropriately advise young people on
all of the options available to them.
“I
am thrilled to see this legislation move forward because providing workers with
the skills necessary to thrive in the modern economy is essential to our
economic prosperity,” Langevin continued. “This bill will help students to
bridge the gap between classroom theory and workplace practice, and align
skills and training with employer needs. It’s a win-win for students and
employers, and it’s a major victory in our efforts to close the skills gap and
create a more resilient, sustainable workforce.”
Prior
to House passage, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st
Century Act passed unanimously out of the Committee on Education and the
Workforce. Langevin thanked Clark for her stewardship of the bill in committee,
and thanked Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA)
for their commitment to shepherding the bill to the House Floor.
“Today’s
vote is the result of an inclusive and thoughtful process, and I am proud to
have been part of this effort,” Langevin said. “I want to thank my colleagues
on both sides of the aisle for helping to bring this bill to the Floor, and I
urge the Senate to take it up without delay.”
