Good News for CTE Programs: A Big Nod from Capitol Hill

It’s a new year, with a new federal administration, with a renewed focus on Career & Technical Education (CTE).

With that focus comes the launch of numerous federal policy initiatives and funding relief packages that impact the CTE space, al bet oftentimes causing confusion amongst state-level educators around keys questions like who, what, when and how these initiatives might impact them.

Three Major Initiatives that Affect You

In support of CTE Month, here are some key insights on three major initiatives listed below, along with some additional resources to help you dig deeper into how they might impact you, your program, and your students.

1. Relaunching America’s Workforce Act (RAWA) (H.R. 6646)
   • The Relaunching America’s Workforce Act (RAWA) was reintroduced by House Committee Chair on Education and Labor Bobby Scott (D-VA). This bill was previously introduced in May 2020 in both the House and Senate and was not voted on in either chamber.
   • This bill would provide a $15 billion investment in workforce training, including $1 billion to support Perkins CTE programs and activities, as well as $2 billion to re-implement the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program.
   • Activities approved for funding dollars have a strong focus on work-based learning experiences – technology, infrastructure, collaboration incentives, needs assessments, and faculty training.
   • For additional information please reference the House Committee Education & Labor Fact Sheet.
2. National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 (H.R. 447)
   • The House Committee on Education and Labor Bobby Scott (D-VA) has proposed the reauthorization of the National Apprenticeship Act, similar to H.R. 8294 that was introduced in the last Congress.
   • It would invest over $3.5 billion in expanding registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships over the course of five years and create close to 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities.
   • For additional information please reference the House Committee Education & Labor Fact Sheet.
3. Perkins V Basic State Grant Increases
   • The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill included a $52.25 million increase for the Perkins Basic State Grant, bringing the new total to $1.334 billion for CTE.
   • Some of the activities important to CTE educators include:
     • Adult Education: $674,955, an increase of $18,000 from FY 20 level
     • Career Pathways for Youth Grants: $10 million, level-funded from FY 20 level
     • Strengthening Community College Training Grants (SCCTG): $45 million, an increase of $5 million from FY 20 level
     • Apprenticeship Grant Program: $185 million to support registered apprenticeships, an increase of $85 million from FY 20 level

Stay Up-to-Date

NHA supports and partners with ACTE and Advance CTE for up-to-date policy information regarding Perkins V, the Higher Education Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and the National Apprenticeship Act. For additional information about how NHA supports Career and Technical Education, visit nhanow.com/cte-success.

Did you miss it? Check out our case studies on how CTE programs have partnered with NHA to improve outcomes and how an Alabama CTE program is helping students with career and college readiness.