Feb. 27, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) joined his colleagues on the House Education Committee to unanimously pass
House Resolution 102, which will establish the Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness.
“As many Pennsylvanians are still struggling through this weakened national economy, this subcommittee is being formed at a great time, and promises to increase awareness of good job opportunities across the state,” Tobash said.
The goal of the subcommittee is to refocus Pennsylvania’s secondary and post-secondary education on career training to match graduates with the existing good-paying jobs that are available in Pennsylvania. Tobash hopes to serve as a member of this select subcommittee.
“In Schuylkill County alone, about 60 percent of jobs are in the vocational field; that’s a lot of high-tech, good-paying, family-sustaining jobs located right here,” Tobash explained. “I have recognized a strong disconnect between our educational system and our job creators in the 125th District, and I am hopeful we will soon see a turnaround.”
Tobash was focused on this issue during the previous legislative session, as he sponsored Act 168 of 2014, a new state law, dubbed the Business and Education Partnership. The law allows educators to receive necessary continuing education credits when they visit certain manufacturing facilities. The visits would take educators to manufacturers for in-person tours and orientation programs in their facilities.
“An outdated image of manufacturing careers often discourages students from even exploring manufacturing as a viable career option,” said Tobash. “It’s past time to start encouraging some of our youngest, brightest talent to pursue these technical jobs, rather than continuing with the one-size-fits-all, four-year college prep approach, when it comes to getting our students ready for life after high school. I believe this new subcommittee will provide opportunities to showcase the benefits included in the Business and Education Partnership.”
Tobash joined his colleagues on the House Education Committee at a press conference held at the Capitol on Wednesday, where plans for the Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness were announced. Video comments following the press conference are available at
www.YouTube.com/RepTobash.
The House is scheduled to vote on the resolution on Tuesday, March 3.
For more information about Tobash’s involvement with the House Education Committee’s new Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness, call his district office in Schuylkill Haven at 570-385-8235, or his Capitol office in Harrisburg at 717-260-6148.
Representative Mike Tobash
125th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
kcorbin@pahousegop.com
RepTobash.com / Facebook.com/RepTobash