[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3361]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 362--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``CAREER AND 
                      TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH''

  Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. Portman, and Ms. Baldwin) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 362

       Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers to be 
     trained in skilled professions;
       Whereas in a National Association of Manufacturers report, 
     80 percent of respondents indicate a moderate to severe 
     shortage of qualified skilled production employees, including 
     frontline workers, such as machinists, operators, craft 
     workers, distributors, and technicians;
       Whereas career and technical education (referred to in this 
     preamble as ``CTE'') has proven to be an effective solution 
     to ensure that competitive, skilled workers are ready, 
     willing, and capable of holding jobs in high-wage, high-
     skill, and in-demand career fields, such as science, 
     technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, 
     nursing, allied health, construction, information technology, 
     energy sustainability, and many other fields that are vital 
     in keeping the United States competitive in the global 
     economy;
       Whereas approximately 14,000,000 students are enrolled in 
     CTE programs, which exist in each State and in nearly 1,300 
     public high schools and 1,700 2-year colleges across the 
     United States;
       Whereas 10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the 
     United States require an associate's degree, or a degree with 
     fewer requirements;
       Whereas 13 of the 20 occupations with the largest number of 
     new jobs projected require on-the-job training and an 
     associate's degree or certificate, and nearly all such 
     occupations require real-world skills that individuals can 
     master through CTE;
       Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce 
     demand and provides relevant academic and technical 
     coursework, leading to industry-recognized credentials for 
     secondary and postsecondary education and adult learners;
       Whereas CTE students are significantly more likely than 
     non-CTE students to report developing problem-solving, 
     project-completion, research, mathematics, college 
     application, work-related, communication, time management, 
     and critical thinking skills during high school; and
       Whereas students at schools with highly-integrated, 
     rigorous academic and CTE programs have significantly higher 
     achievement in reading, mathematics, and science than 
     students at schools with less integrated programs: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of February as ``Career and 
     Technical Education Month'' to celebrate career and technical 
     education across the United States;
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical 
     Education Month;
       (3) recognizes the importance of career and technical 
     education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce 
     in the United States; and
       (4) encourages educators, counselors, and administrators to 
     promote career and technical education as an option for 
     students.

  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution with 
Senator Portman designating February as Career and Technical Education 
month.
  The key to America's continued success lies in improving our Nation's 
educational system. In a National Association of Manufacturers report, 
80 percent of respondents indicate a moderate to severe shortage of 
qualified skilled production employees, including frontline workers, 
like machinists, operators, craft workers, distributors, and 
technicians. If we are to win the race for talent, we need a long-term 
plan that produces the best workforce in the world.
  Career and technical education is a proven solution for creating 
jobs, retraining workers with the skills they need to fill open 
positions in the job market, and ensuring students of all ages and all 
walks of life are career and college ready. Career and technical 
education will also help close the skills gap to meet the needs of 
high-growth, skill intensive industries. Approximately 30 percent of 
jobs by 2018 will require some college or a two-year associate degree, 
a need which can be met by improved access to career and technical 
education programs.
  Senator Portman and I have also created the Senate Career and 
Technical Education Caucus, a bipartisan effort committed to 
strengthening access and improving career and technical education. 
Through these efforts, we will support students and grow our nation's 
workforce by ensuring our youth have access to high-quality, rigorous 
career and technical education that will prepare them for college and 
for their future careers.

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