[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize February as Career and Technical Education Month. Each year, 
this month highlights the benefits of a skills-based education and the 
valuable contributions that CTE students make to the American workforce 
and the American economy.
  More specifically, February 2 through February 8 is SkillsUSA Week. 
SkillsUSA is a leader in the CTE movement. This annual celebration 
represents nearly 370,000 SkillsUSA members across the country who are 
developing the personal, workplace, and technical skills necessary to 
earn and keep good-paying and rewarding jobs.
  A one-size-fits-all approach to education is not an effective way to 
prepare students for the workforce. We are doing students a great 
disservice when we only promote what is considered a traditional 
college experience.
  When we look at the potential of our Nation's learners and contrast 
that with the 7 million unfilled jobs nationwide, clearly, there is a 
disconnect. This is often referred to as the skills gap, and CTE can 
help us bridge this divide.
  Now, I have the privilege of serving as the co-chair of the 
bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus alongside my 
colleague and good friend, Congressman  Jim Langevin.
  Over the years, we have met with many educators, counselors, 
administrators, and students to better understand the resources 
necessary to support learners of all ages.
  I am proud of the legislation that we have put forward to ensure 
students have the tools they need to pursue a rewarding education, and, 
eventually, a rewarding career.
  With this kind of support, we can help empower students and better 
prepare them for a 21st century workforce. Most recently, that includes 
H.R. 5092, the Counseling for Career Choice Act, a bill that would 
invest in career counseling for high school students as well as 
professional development opportunities for the counselors who support 
them.
  Career and technical education is not a plan B. It is a valuable 
educational option that is empowering learners of all ages to take 
control of their personal and professional futures.
  To me, the ideal educational system is one that allows students to 
get in with as few barriers to entry as possible, get the education 
that they need, and get out. By providing students with a clear picture 
of what the workforce entails--or, more specifically, by investing in 
career and technical education--we can help make that a reality.
  Madam Speaker, I am asking my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
Career and Technical Education Month by supporting the Counseling for 
Career Choice Act and other commonsense, bipartisan bills that help 
provide quality CTE opportunities to our Nation's students.

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