The State House Majority Policy Committee recently held a hearing at Old Forge School District to discuss the growing demand for career and technical education.
Testifiers included Warren Faust, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers International president; Anthony Guariglia, Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Education administrative director; Erin Keating, Old Forge School District superintendent; and Dan Kuba, Department of Labor and Industry secretary for Workforce Development.
The hearing discussed how funding career and technical education can help the state meet the ever-changing needs of emerging business and technology.
“Technical education continues to experience growth throughout Pennsylvania, but the increase in students has still not met the demands for skilled workers in our economy,” Rep. Jim Haddock (D-Spring City) said. “We heard testimony about the millions of well-paying unfilled technical jobs in our workforce, and we also heard how introducing younger students – in middle school – to career and technical education could help fill gaps in our workforce. It not only builds interest in these fields at a younger age, but it helps end the stigma of not attending a traditional four-year college.”
Earlier this month, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bipartisan budget that will provide more than $30 million to expand career and technical programs, fund the Schools-to-Work Program and fund apprenticeship programs.