Sens. Kaine and Portman Support Tech. Ed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2014
CONTACT: Sean Lynch
703-683-9312; slynch@acteonline.org

ACTE APPLAUDS SENATORS PORTMAN, KAINE ON FORMATION OF CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAUCUS

Will Serve as a Voice for Career and Technical Education on Capitol Hill

ALEXANDRIA, VA –The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) today lauded the bipartisan efforts of U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in forming the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus.

“Career and technical education programs nationwide have a rich history of equipping students with the skills that they need for success in high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers in growing industries,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson. “ACTE is pleased that Senators Kaine and Portman have committed themselves to supporting millions of CTE students, educators and administrators nationwide and helping to prepare America’s 21st century workforce, particularly as we prepare to celebrate CTE Month throughout February. We look forward to partnering with the senators to build congressional support for federal policies that will ensure the continued success and growth of our nation’s CTE programs.”

“Through career and technical programs we can strengthen the links between the classroom and the workplace, helping students acquire the education and skills that will help them find employment and enjoy productive, successful lives after graduation … I am proud to launch the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus with Senator Portman and I look forward to working together to improve CTE.” said Kaine.

Portman went on to state that “…we must close the skills gap to get Americans working again. One way we can do that is by focusing on career and technical education that equips workers with credentials, certificates, and other training that will match them with open jobs. I look forward to working with Senator Kaine as a co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus to bridge the skills gap and get Americans back to work.”

CTE programs provide rigorous academic and technical training to 94 percent of American high school students and 12 million postsecondary students. ACTE supports policies and programs, such as the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which connect students with relevant, real-world learning opportunities to prepare them for careers.