State Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) hosted Tuesday a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on career and technical education (CTE) at the IBEW Local 375.
Hearing participants discussed the increased CTE funding in the 2019-20 state budget and how the state can continue to support CTE.
“We hear all the time how technical skills are valuable, both because jobs in those fields pay well and because the skills are vital to the communities where those skilled laborers are finding work,” Schweyer said. “But it was fantastic to hear directly from local community and labor leaders about both the need to and how to train more skilled laborers to join the workforce.”
Testifiers included Rob Franklin, training director at IBEW Local 375; Bill Dorward Jr., marketing representative at Sheet Metal Workers Local 19; Thomas Parker, superintendent at Allentown School District; Nancy Dischinat, executive director of Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board; and Donna Braden, president of Jack’s Glass.
“We need auto mechanics, welders, plumbers, HVAC technicians, pipefitters and electricians,” Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) said. “Investing in job training, apprenticeship programs, and technical education is preparing our future workforce to meet the needs of the communities where they will work and live. I thank Representative Schweyer for spotlighting this important issue.”
The hearing was part of a series held across the state on House Democrats’ Plan4PA.