S250sMAR11

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending March 11, 2005

S 250 to amend the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 to improve the Act.

BRIEF

Perhaps the most obvious change the Act makes is the name change. The bill addresses job training but this time around will refer to it as Career and Technical Education rather than Vocational and Applied Technology Education. We will still see grants to traditional VO-Tech programs including community and other college programs, commercial vehicle driver training schools, culinary and other specific training programs but the bill stretches for a wider definition of vocational and technological training based more closely on today’s economic needs.

Bill Sponsor Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) explained the bill’s position in the field of programs designed to improve education and job training in the US, “The Perkins Act, together with the Workforce Investment Act, the Higher Education Act, and other federal education and programs, provides important resources that are needed to help adequately prepare students of all ages for jobs in high-wage and high skilled occupations. It is part of a group of federal education and programs that are critical to a lifelong of learning. In this technology driven, global economy, school is never out. Everyone is a student who must adapt to the changing needs of their jobs and the workforce by continuing to pursue an education in their chosen field. In turn, Congress must ensure that education and training are connected to the needs of business, including small businesses, now and into the future.

“This legislation will help strengthen the Perkins program by improving accountability, involving businesses in career and technical education programs, emphasizing challenging academic instruction, and advancing the field of career and technical education by linking those programs to advances in industry.”

Senator Enzi noted that while job creation is increasing in America, employers are claiming an absence of skilled workers. The legislation will increase focus on training and retraining workers through the secondary and post-secondary education systems.

Sponsor: Senator Michael B. Enzi (R-WY)

Vote: Passed Senate 99 to 0 (Mar. 10, 2005) (RC 43)

Cost to the taxpayers: (Cost data for this bill was not accessible at press time)