Career, Tech Ed Subcommittee Focuses on Private Sector Needs and Existing Opportunities, Tobash Says
HARRISBURG – In continuing his efforts to learn more about the needs and opportunities that exist within Pennsylvania’s private sector, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) joined his colleagues on the House Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness at a public hearing in Pittsburgh on Friday.
Tobash, a long-time advocate of promoting vocational-technical programs within our schools, said, “I look forward to these hearings because it’s so important for teachers, administrators, and legislators to be on the same page with job creators. I believe we all must be connected in order to positively increase and enhance our workforce.”
Members of the Select Technical Education and Career Readiness Subcommittee are focused on learning more about regional and national trends for career and technical education. It is a subcommittee of the House Education Committee.
On Friday, the subcommittee heard from several testifiers, including individuals from the education, policy, business and industry communities. The issues discussed ranged from the demographics and workforce demand, to the importance of career and technical education programs, to the differences between urban and rural career and technical centers, to how to build successful education and industry partnerships.
Tobash shared his related insight gained through his sponsorship of Act 168 of 2014, an initiative dubbed the “Business Education Partnership,” which allows educators to receive continuing education credits when they visit certain manufacturing facilities. The visits take teachers to manufacturers for in-person tours and orientation programs to expand their knowledge of related careers. He is also planning to sponsor a bill that would increase the amount of available tax credits under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program for career and technical schools.
“Career and technical education is an important component of educational options available here in Pennsylvania,” Tobash explained. “These programs offer the skill-based training that is so important for our economy. When someone masters a trade, that doesn’t mean the learning stops. With agreements in place between our technical schools and colleges, along with many businesses offering college tuition assistance, mastering a trade offers students an excellent chance for a fulfilling career. Many business leaders throughout our area began with a technical education.”
Before the hearing on Thursday, some of Tobash’s colleagues toured the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Rosedale Technical College, and PA Gunsmith School to give policymakers a firsthand look into their facilities.
For more information about this hearing, Tobash’s legislation or any other state-related issue, contact Tobash’s district office in Schuylkill Haven located at 988 East Main St., by calling 570-385-8235. Information can also be found online at
RepTobash.com or
Facebook.com/RepTobash.
Representative Mike Tobash
125th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
kcorbin@pahousegop.com
RepTobash.com /
Facebook.com/RepTobash