Klobuchar-Backed Reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act Heads to President's Desk to Be Signed Into Law After Passing Both House and Senate

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act has unanimously passed the House of Representatives and the Senate this week and will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act authorizes important updates to career and technical education to help more people enter the workforce with the skills they need to compete for high-skilled, in-demand careers. The legislation included Klobuchar's Career and Technical Education Research and Outreach Act of 2018 to authorize research into the best ways to promote career and technical education (CTE) to students, including the best ways to involve teachers, school counselors, and parents, and the effectiveness of different forms of CTE.

"In today's economy, there are multiple paths to a successful career. Whether that includes a four-year degree, skills training, career-related learning, or professional development, everyone should have access to the skills and education they need to get a high-paying, 21st century job," Klobuchar said. "Reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act will ensure that every student is prepared for the career that suits them best."

Klobuchar has led national efforts to expand apprenticeship opportunities and strengthen Minnesota's workforce. Klobuchar's bipartisan American Apprenticeship Act would help create and expand pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs. She has introduced the bipartisan Skills Investment Act of 2018 to expand Coverdell Education Savings Accounts--tax advantaged savings accounts for educational expenses--so American workers could use the accounts to pay for skills training, career-related learning, and professional development. The Klobuchar-backed Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2017 would create a tax incentive for businesses to embrace apprenticeship programs, accelerate the adoption of the apprenticeship model, and boost training and education available to workers. In 2015, Klobuchar successfully pushed for a $5 million grant from the Department of Labor to strengthen partnerships between Minnesota community colleges and local businesses and expand apprenticeship programs. The Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI) was launched with the funding Klobuchar helped secure. By 2020, MAI will provide training for 1,000 apprentices in growing fields like advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology, and transportation. Minnesota recently received an additional $1.8 million federal apprenticeship grant to continue expanding registered apprenticeships throughout Minnesota.

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