Rep. Angie Craig Works to Expand Career and Technical Education for Minnesotans

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig continued her effort to expand career and technical education (CTE) programs for Minnesotans after visiting CTE facilities at several schools in the Second Congressional District. Making career and technical education programs more accessible is a top priority for Rep. Craig as she works to close the skills gap and expand economic opportunity for Minnesotans.

Minnesota currently has over 145,000 unfilled jobs. To fill these jobs, the federal government must invest in career and technical education programs, and rethink our education system to provide a full range of post-secondary opportunities. Rep. Craig has been pushing for these investments in economic opportunity since her first day in Congress.

"I hear from many young people who don't see a four-year degree as the right choice for them," said Rep. Craig. "We should be actively supporting kids who want to explore manufacturing and technical degrees, and we should be investing in CD2's innovative CTE programs so that employers have a skilled workforce and Minnesotans have a fair shot at building a good life."

Since being sworn in, Rep. Craig has:

• Joined the bipartisan CTE Caucus
• Passed an amendment highlighting the importance of CTE funding grants as a part of a bipartisan House spending package
• Sent a letter to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee pushing for the inclusion of CTE funding in any infrastructure package that the committee considers
• Introduced the Remedial Education Improvement Act with Rep. Donald Norcross, a bill to make developmental education programs more effective and accessible, make post-secondary degrees more affordable, and keep students on track to graduate on time
• Cosponsored the BUILDS Act, a comprehensive and in depth apprenticeship bill to improve student outcomes and prioritize industry partnerships to build the workforce we need in Minnesota
• Cosponsored the JOBS Act, which would extend Pell Grant eligibility to include CTE and manufacturing degrees
• Visited CTE and workforce training centers at Dakota County Technical College, Academies of Shakopee, and Park High School in Cottage Grove