AGC, along with a coalition of stakeholders, are urging Congress to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins). Perkins is an existing avenue that helps students prepare for secondary and postsecondary education by providing access to federal dollars to offset the cost of career and technical education (CTE) programs. The Perkins program’s authorization ended in 2013 but has been operating under annual funding bills since then. AGC hopes Congress will reauthorize and reform the program this year.
The program is separate from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which passed last year and will be fully implemented later this year focuses on placing adults in in-demand jobs. Perkins is important because it is geared at younger individuals and plays an important role in closing the skills gap.
The reforms being advocated to Perkins include:
- Align CTE programs to the needs of the regional, state, and local labor market;
- Support effective and meaningful collaboration between secondary and postsecondary institutions and employers;
- Increase student participation in experiential learning opportunities such as industry internships, apprenticeships and mentorships; and
- Promote the use of industry-recognized credentials.
AGC urges you to contact your members of Congress by using the Legislative Action Center and ask them to reauthorize Perkins along with reforms. After you complete the process of sending a letter to Congress, AGC will include your company’s name on a broad coalition letter to Congress.
For more information, please contact Jim Young at youngj@agc.org or (202) 547-0133. Return to Top