Apr. 30, 2018
HARRISBURG – As the demand for trained workers to fill open manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania increases daily, the House on Monday approved a bipartisan package of legislation, including a bill by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), to spur on workforce development.
“Not a week goes by when I don’t come across a news article about the need for skilled workers to fill cutting-edge manufacturing jobs in the Commonwealth and across the United States,” Grove said. “For far too long, manufacturing jobs have held a negative stigma in our society. However, these jobs are some of the most high-tech jobs out there and provide family-sustaining pay.”
Grove’s
House Bill 2157 would make it easier for schools to establish and renew vocational programs by establishing a standard application form for public school entities, including school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units or area vocational-technical schools.
Additionally, the legislation would require the Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence and the state Department of Education to issue course guidelines, and update the guidelines every five years, to identify the circumstances of when a student may apply for course credit toward the completion of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
Grove’s bill is part of a bipartisan nine-bill package of legislation developed from recommendations found in a report issued last session by the House Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness. Grove chaired the subcommittee, which provided the foundation for the current effort to improve CTE in the Commonwealth.
“These bills are just the start of legislative efforts to improve CTE in Pennsylvania,” Grove said. “Our aim is to provide a reinvigorated emphasis on the importance of pursuing manufacturing jobs and other career paths available to 21st century students.”
House Bill 2157 and the eight additional bills in the package are now in the Senate for consideration.
Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepGrove.com /
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