[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING 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. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the first 
day of February, to recognize Career and Technical Education Month.
  During this month, we highlight the impact of CTE programs, programs 
that can be referred to as learn-to-earn. These programs are for 
learners at all levels. We recognize the role of CTE in supporting 
industry seeking to fill positions in high-demand, high-skill, and 
high-wage jobs and career fields.
  My appreciation for CTE came at a very early age. My father, coming 
out of the Navy, went through a CTE program, which led him to a job as 
a tool and die maker. Eventually, he decided to start his own business, 
which became quite successful.
  As co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education 
Caucus and a senior member of the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce, I have always supported and will continue to support CTE 
programs that provide learners of all ages with career-ready skills.
  From agriculture to the arts, from marketing to manufacturing, CTE 
programs work to develop America's most valuable resource: its people.
  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.
  CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving 
students choose in pursuit of industry certification and hands-on 
skills that they can use right out of high school, in skill-based 
education programs, or in college.
  Mr. Speaker, CTE Month recognizes the benefits of a skills-based 
education and the valuable contributions CTE students make to the 
American workforce.
  Congress recognized the importance of CTE when we passed the 
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, 
which helps to close the skills gap by modernizing the Federal 
investment in CTE programs and connecting educators with industry 
stakeholders. This bill was later signed into law by President Trump in 
2018.
  While this is a major milestone, there is still much more work to be 
done. That is why I will continue to put forward commonsense pieces of 
legislation that update and promote workforce development throughout 
our Nation.
  These include: The Counseling for Career Choice Act, which ensures 
that high school students are made fully aware of their career and 
educational options prior to graduation, including non-degree 
certificate programs, internships, apprenticeships, and 2-year and 4-
year degree programs.
  There is also the Skills Investment Act, which enhances tax 
advantaged savings accounts for educational expenses so American 
workers can use the accounts to pay for skills-based learning, career 
training, and workforce development.
  Lastly, the Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act, creates a $10 
million pilot program within the Department of Education to award 
competitive grants to education-employer partnerships for the 
development, implementation, 
and/or expansion of postsecondary CTE programs that integrate 
cybersecurity education into curricula preparing students for careers 
in critical infrastructure sectors.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I encourage my fellow colleagues to join my 
co-chair, Ms. Bonamici of Oregon, and me on the bipartisan House Career 
and Technical Education Caucus as we work to restore the rungs on the 
ladder of opportunity for all.

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