Walberg Champions Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Career and Technical Education
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) today supported H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which will help prepare more students and workers to secure the good-paying jobs of the future. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and modernizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act for the first time in more than a decade. H.R. 2353 passed the House by a unanimous vote and now heads to President Trump's desk.
"Improving career and technical education programs will be a real difference maker for hardworking men and women in Michigan," said Congressman Walberg. "Skills-based education opens doors to good-paying jobs, many of which are left unfilled waiting for workers with the right hands-on experience. As our economy continues to grow, preparing students for the 21st century workforce is critical. This is a timely bill and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law."
A senior member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Walberg has visited CTE programs across Michigan's 7th District, including at the Branch Area Careers Center, Hillsdale Area Career Center, Jackson Area Career Center, Lansing Community College, Monroe County Community College, Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry, and many more.
H.R. 2353 also contains Walberg's bipartisan legislation, the New HOPE Act, to help states address burdensome occupational licensing requirements, which can create unnecessary regulatory barriers to job growth and economic opportunity.
"Unnecessary and duplicative licensing requirements too often act as a barrier for workers trying to get their foot in the door. My provisions in this bill will help create pathways to careers by encouraging states to review their regulatory climate to ensure it does not stand in the way of economic opportunity for those who need it most," said Walberg.
Congressman Walberg serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. For more information on Walberg's work in Congress visit walberg.house.gov.