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U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
The Importance
of Career and Technical Education
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one-in-three jobs requires
post-secondary education or a certificate. American industries – such
as manufacturing – increasingly need skilled workers, and, according to
one study, almost two-thirds of all jobs created in 2018 will require
post-secondary education or job training.
One of the ways schools and businesses are working to close the skills
gap is by investing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
CTE programs bring together secondary and post-secondary schools and
employers to provide pathways to certificates and degrees in a variety
of high-demand and high-skill industries. Students leave these programs
equipped with the specialized skills required for jobs of the 21st
century, thereby improving the American workforce’s global
competitiveness and our nation’s economic development.
This month, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) co-sponsored a Senate
resolution designating February as Career and Technical Education Month
to celebrate the important role CTE education has played in preparing
students for the workforce. More than 14 million students are currently
enrolled in CTE classes or programs across the country. And countless
parents, teachers, business owners, and community members work with
these students and contribute to the success of these programs.
Sen. Brown has been a leader in connecting our nation’s students and
workers with the resources they need to compete in a global economy.
Last year, Sen. Brown co-sponsored the Career and Technical Opportunity
Act, which would allow workers and students who are completing
industry-recognized certification programs at local colleges and
universities to receive federal loans. Students who can prove their
certification programs are meeting local or state job demands, cover a
minimum of five weeks of instruction, and last at least 250 hours would
be able to seek financial support through Pell Grants or Perkins loans.
Sen. Brown has also worked to connect skilled workers with employers in
their area. In 2013, he introduced the SECTORS Act to ensure that
federal workforce programs receive industry input and are designed to
meet local needs. Portions of the SECTORS Act were passed in May of
2014 as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act which
Senator Brown supported. And this January, Sen. Brown hosted a
Southwest Ohio Aerospace and Manufacturing Career Fair, connecting
local businesses with highly-skilled job seekers.
In February, we celebrate the profound impact CTE programs have. Sen.
Brown is a proud member of the Senate CTE Caucus and will continue to
advocate for opportunities to improve our nation’s economy and make
sure all Americans have the skills necessary to find jobs in our
changing workforce.
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