House committee holds hearing on career, tech schools

A recently House Policy Committee hearing discussed the opportunities, work force outcomes, and challenges of career and technical education schools statewide.

Career and technical education schools provide students with the skills, development and basic qualifications to find jobs in various industries.

The hearing was held at Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS), and testifiers included Bracalente Manufacturing; Dr. Michael Herrera, UBCTS executive director; John Maketa, UBCTS strategic advisor for work force development; Rich Matthias, UBCTS instructor; and
Raymond Slifer, UBCTS graduate and junior manufacturing engineer.

Topics of discussion included the benefits of technical education; current challenges students, administrations and schools face; and the importance of career and technical education for the future of Pennsylvania’s workforce.

“Our highly skilled trade careers are driven largely by professional development, just as the Upper Bucks County Technical School provides,” said state Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), who hosted the hearing. “Not all education is a one-size fits all approach. It is important we continue to support our technical schools and students, to prepare them for the future just as we do with traditional education.”

“From hands-on exercises to more individual attention, this pathway presents an opportunity for our students to hold down family-sustaining jobs at a time when workforce shortages continue,” Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), committee chairman, said.