News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Todd Young, R-Ind., joined with a group of colleagues in introducing and passing a resolution recognizing National Career and Technical Education Month, which is observed every February.

Sen. Todd Young

“Career and technical education equips Hoosier students with the skills and hands-on experiences necessary for a meaningful career,” said Young. “Supporting workforce training is vital for preparing Americans for the jobs of tomorrow.”

CTE prepares students for careers in fields such as health care, agriculture, information technology, manufacturing, the skilled trades and many more. There are more than eight million job openings nationwide today, many are within industries with noted skilled labor shortages. More than 12 million students are enrolled in CTE programs at high schools, career academies, CTE centers, and two-year colleges across the country.

Participation in CTE programs has been linked to better attendance and higher high school graduation rates. The resolution recognizes the importance of CTE and encourages educators, counselors, career development professionals, and parents to promote CTE as an option for students.

Young has long led efforts to expand access to job training including introducing the Assisting Community Colleges in Educating Skilled Students, or ACCESS to Careers Act and the Gateways to Careers Act in the 118th Congress. Young has also led the CTE Month resolution for the last several years.

In addition to Senator Young, Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Tim Kaine, D-Va. along with Representatives Glenn Thompson, R-PA-15 and Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR-1, introduced the resolution. They are all co-chairs of the Senate and House CTE caucuses.