Mar. 19, 2019
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved
House Bill 334 by Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) to create easier-to-navigate trails schools can follow to establish and renew vocational programs, part of the House Republican’s commitment to ensure all Pennsylvanians have a pathway to prosperity.
“Job growth for skilled worker professions is expected to grow at more than double the rate of all occupations, making it very important to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow,” Grove said “My bill, and this package of bills, seeks to advance career and technical education (CTE) in Pennsylvania by making sure students know about these valuable jobs and provide a means for them to gain employment in these skilled fields.”
One of the steps taken by the House today was to have guidelines so students can apply credits obtained through certain science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) courses to job-training institutions.
Under Grove’s bill, the Pennsylvania Department of Education would be tasked with creating guidelines for when a student who successfully completes a STEM course, program or activity for credit can also apply the credit toward a course through a vocational-technical school, technical institution or vocational school.
The legislation also would provide a clearer path for school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units or area vocational-technical schools to establish and renew vocational programs. This would be done by establishing a standard application form for the school entities.
“Education is the key component to closing the skills gap. By closing this gap, and getting trained workers on the job, we will rebuild our middle class and strengthen our economy,” Grove said. “Making sure students know about these good jobs, which pay family-sustaining wages, is the first step of the education process. My bill, and this package of bills, provides further steps students can take toward a brighter future.”
Grove’s bill, as well the package of bills approved by the House, now goes to 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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