President Trump on Tuesday signed a bill that reauthorizes the nation’s main career and technical education legislation.
H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act, rewrites the $1.1 billion Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, last reauthorized in 2006. The legislation provides funding for job training and related programs for high school and postsecondary school students.
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) thanked lawmakers for ensuring the legislation was reauthorized.
“Community colleges are committed to high-quality CTE programs and we applaud this bipartisan approach to investing in the programs and services that provide the skills and education Americans need to succeed in the modern workplace,” said AACC President and CEO Walter G. Bumphus. “This continued investment is a win-win for students and local economies.”
The bipartisan bill moved quickly last week through both the House and Senate after the president and Ivanka Trump both encouraged them to pass it. The president, members of his Cabinet and Ivanka Trump over the last couple of weeks have focused on workforce development, especially apprenticeships, even visiting a few community colleges.
They continued with the Pledge to America’s Workers campaign Tuesday evening at Tampa Bay Technical High School in Florida where Trump signed a copy of the new law.
“In every action we take, our goal is to ensure that every student can learn skills that align with the jobs in demand in our modern economy, that every worker can move from an entry-level job into life-long career,” Ivanka Trump said at the event.
