July 28, 2019 – New reforms to strengthen the Perkins career and technical education (CTE) program will go into effect July 1. Approved by Congress and signed into law last year, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353) updates the federal education grant program to help more students gain the skills they need for in-demand jobs.
Under the new statute, states will be allowed to reserve more funds for CTE programs in rural areas and for innovative CTE programs. Local CTE providers will also be required to carry out a needs assessment to better align the offered programs of study with local labor market needs and in-demand occupations. Finally, the legislation created a new national competitive grant program aimed at identifying, supporting and evaluating evidence-based and innovative strategies and activities to improve and modernize CTE and align workforce skills with labor market needs.
The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association said it would like to thank the bipartisan work of Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill)., and Glenn “GT” Thompson. (R-Pa.), who introduced and shepherded these much-needed reforms to our nation’s education programs through Congress.