IMA-NA Supports Workforce Education Bill

The House Committee on Education and Workforce unanimously passed H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, out of Committee. The Act was supported by the Industrial Minerals Association – North America (IMA-NA).

The bill reauthorizes and reforms the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, an important law that hadn’t been updated in over a decade. The bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) is a reinvestment in workforce development in the United States. H.R. 5587 will allow for continued federal support for state and local career and technical education (CTE) programs but importantly improves upon the original legislation in the following ways:

  • Aligns CTE programs to the needs of the regional, state and local labor market.
  • Supports effective and meaningful collaboration between secondary and postsecondary institutions and employers.
  • Increases student participation in work-based learning opportunities.
  • Promotes the use of industry recognized credentials and other recognized post-secondary credentials.

“As we face an approaching skilled workforce gap, legislation like H.R. 5587 supports educational programs that will make it easier for new workers to enter the workforce prepared and able to step into various roles,” said Ariel Hill-Davis, director, industry affairs. “IMA-NA has supported reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act for several years and applauds the Committee on working together to produce bipartisan legislation that invests in our workforce. As such, along with other business leaders and trade associations, IMA-NA signed onto a letter to Committee Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Scott expressing support for H.R. 5587 and urging rapid movement on the legislation.”

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