[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 119 (Monday, July 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H6244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Sunday was World Youth 
Skills Day. The United Nations General Assembly started this initiative 
to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills 
development.
  Young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than 
adults. Young people around the world are exposed to lower-quality 
jobs, greater labor market inequalities, and a longer school-to-work 
transition period.
  That is why I am pleased the House unanimously approved my 
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act 
last year, and it has seen action in the Senate as well.
  Too often, we have seen students pushed down the college-for-all 
pathway that just doesn't work for some students. CTE has established 
itself as a path that many students choose in pursuit of industry 
certification and hands-on skills they can use right out of high 
school, in skill-based education programs, or in college.
  By modernizing the Federal investment in CTE programs, we will be 
able to connect more educators with industry stakeholders and close the 
skills gap.
  CTE is an important part of youth skills development, not only in the 
United States, but in nations around the world.

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