Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) helped pass a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and reform the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and give students the skills they need to enter the workforce and excel in high-quality jobs. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century Act would update the Perkins Act to increase coordination of career and technical education (CTE) programs with academic standards established by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

"San Diego’s most important industries rely on a highly-skilled workforce and we need to prepare students to compete for the jobs of the future that are being created,” said Rep. Peters. “This much needed update will better align career and technical education programs with the evolving needs and challenges facing students, workers, and businesses.”

Created in 1984, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act provides federal support for state and local career and technical education programs. These state-run programs offer both hands-on training and classroom instruction in fields ranging from computer science to law enforcement.

“In today’s global economy, it’s crucial to establish effective job training programs that expand economic opportunity and help Americans who do not choose to pursue a four-year degree develop the skills to compete,” Rep. Peters concluded.

Other modifications include requiring performance indicators like graduation rates to assess CTE programs, emphasis on programs that meet in-demand industries, and incentives for businesses to engage with schools and colleges.