McClellan Introduces Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act to Support CTE Programs Nationwide
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced H.R. 7676, the Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act, a bill which sets students up for their futures and supports each state in creating a searchable public directory of career and technical education (CTE) programs of study and career pathways to benefit students and employers.
Across the country, students, families, educators and employers must navigate fragmented information about CTE programs, limiting accessibility and workforce alignment. While high-quality career pathways serve more than 11 million students nationwide, there is no straightforward way to understand what programs are available, what credentials they lead to, how they align with workforce demand or how they connect to higher education and industry partners. By amending the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to implement public directories of available CTE programs and pathways, this legislation will expand opportunity and better align education with the needs of the workforce.
“As they grow up, students around the country face a whirlwind of overwhelming choices when considering what educational pathway is best for their future,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Through this legislation, I hope to make that process easier for students and their families while connecting industry partners with young talent. As attacks on our federal education system continue, we must continue to offer clear, precise information to students on what our incredible CTE programs can offer them. This Career and Technical Education Month, I’m introducing the Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act to make these opportunities more accessible to our workforce of tomorrow and strengthen the American economy.”
This bill is endorsed by Advance CTE and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC).
PHCC released the following statement of support:
"The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) is the premier national building trades group serving plumbing and heating, ventilation, & air conditioning (HVAC) contractors for 143 years. Our membership includes approximately 3,100 open shop and signatory contractors in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, employing over 65,000 skilled tradespeople across the United States.
"Perkins Career and Technical Education (Perkins CTE) funds have played a vital role in providing resources to CTE programs in secondary schools, creating pathways for young people to pursue fulfilling careers in the building trades. Many of those students perform exceptionally in those CTE programs and yet, upon high school graduation they go on to a four-year institution of higher learning or another career unrelated to their CTE coursework; lucrative jobs remain unfilled while students lose or delay opportunities to secure gainful employment early in their careers. The Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act (sponsored by Rep. Jennifer McClellan) addresses this problem with a very simple and cost-effective solution: by having access early in their CTE coursework to resources which connect them to employers and post-secondary programs in their respective fields, CTE students will have a clear path forward to continue their coursework beyond high school with strong prospects for securing gainful employment upon completion of their studies.
"We thank Rep. McClellan for introducing the Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring young people have clear post-secondary options as they pursue CTE opportunities in fields such as plumbing or HVAC, where jobs are in high demand and will always require skilled hands in an increasingly automated world.
"The plumbing and HVAC contractors of the PHCC are grateful to Rep. McClellan’s recognition of the value of career and technical education and the importance of ensuring CTE students have all available resources to remain on track to success in their chosen fields of study.
"PHCC urges Congress to act on the Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act and stands ready to work with any stakeholders seeking its swift passage."
The Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act addresses the lack of transparency on CTE programs by allowing states to use Perkins funds to develop statewide directories that clearly identify:
- Program descriptions and course sequences
- Industry or career cluster alignment
- Available credentials and dual enrollment opportunities
- Work-based learning opportunities
- Postsecondary and industry partnerships
- Evidence of alignment with labor market needs
View the full bill text here.