Reviving Our Economy: How Career and Technical Education Can Strengthen the Workforce

Schools, States, and the Federal government can work together to strengthen career and technical education and help more Americans gain valuable job skills. The economy faces many challenges. Millions remain out of work, and the labor participation rate has declined to 30-year lows. In Nevada, families struggle with 8.8 percent unemployment, one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Unemployment among young people ages 16 to 19 is even higher at 29 percent. We need to do more to help these families rebuild and recover from the lingering effects of the recession. One of the House Education and Workforce Committee's priorities for the 113th Congress has been strengthening the Nation's network of job training services. The committee is now examining career and technical education, or CTE, in preparation for the upcoming reauthorization of the Perkins Act, which provides Federal funding and supports States to support CTE programs that allow high school and community college students to access valuable training programs and hands-on experience necessary to gain an edge in the local workforce. There are a number of great CTE schools in Nevada. The Southwest Career and Technical Academy is renowned for its rigorous coursework and hands-on training in a number of fields, including nursing, culinary arts, automotive technology, and web design, just to name a few. As the committee works to strengthen career and technical education, it is important that we hear from students, educators, and State and local leaders in the business and education communities about the challenges and opportunities facing CTE programs.