Hearing examines importance of career and technical education

The Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee recently held a hearing on the importance of career and technical education and how it enhances the work force.

“A college education is not the perfect fit or even a possibility for every student,” Rep. Roni Green (D-Philadelphia County), who hosted the hearing, said. “I am a product and living proof of that reality, having graduated from Dobbins Technical School, and I can honestly say the education and skills I learned in technical education have helped me throughout my life.”

Testifiers included Kyle Bucholtz, a teacher for the Millcreek Township School District who oversees the student-run enterprise, McDowell Manufacturing; Dr. Lee Burket, Pennsylvania Department of Education director of the bureau of career and technical education; and Joseph Tarasovitch, principal of Erie County Technical School.

Bucholtz said McDowell Manufacturing has created an estimated 15,000 parts for original equipment manufacturers, the plastics industry and the packaging industry.

Burket stated there is a career and technical education teacher shortage and that career and technical centers rely on local school districts to fund them. Burkett added that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal would fully fund career and technical centers.

Tarasovitch spoke about the importance of career and technical education in creating opportunities for students.