Silver Spring, MD — Today, the House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) relief package that includes significant investments to help Americans secure the education and training they need to get back to work. The bill includes $3 billion for Career Technical Education (CTE), including $1 billion through the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), and $2 billion for community college and industry partnerships. The following statement can be jointly attributed to LeAnn Wilson, Executive Director for the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Kimberly Green, Executive Director for Advance CTE. 

 

“We applaud and fully support the package introduced by Chairman Scott and its much-needed investment in CTE. The Coronavirus has dramatically changed every aspect of the education system, the workforce, our economy and lives, as well as highlighted the existing and deepening equity gaps that exist across our country. This investment will help ensure CTE can equitably deliver high-quality experiences for learners regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity or where they live. 

 

“Coronavirus also caused a rapid shift to delivery of education online. This funding will help transform and implement innovative instructional practices and delivery methods so that key aspects of CTE, such as experiential and applied, hands-on learning can thrive in a virtual environment. 

 

“As our nation continues to battle this global pandemic and its economic fallout, CTE will be vital to key industries such as healthcare, STEM, manufacturing, construction and transportation distribution and logistics.  We are pleased that this legislation specifically recognizes those needs and places a focus on expanding and adapting program offerings and supports to meet the evolving needs of employers and learners during these challenging times. 

 

“We are facing a difficult, unprecedented chapter in American history. We know it will be a challenging path forward to restart the American economy, but to do so we will need to make historic investments in the skilling, upskilling and reskilling of American workers. CTE stands ready to help our nation and our economy recover. The resources authorized in this piece of legislation are a great first step toward that recovery.”

 

Press Contacts:

Katie Fitzgerald, Advance CTE
[email protected]; 301-588-9630

Jarrod Nagurka, ACTE
[email protected]; (703) 689-9312

 

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The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.

 

Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career success for each learner.