Congresswoman Hillary Scholten Introduces the Bipartisan Honoring Vocational Education Act, Visits Kent Career Technical Center
As Co-Chair of the New Democratic Coalition Workforce Development Task Force, Rep. Scholten Leads on Critical Issues of Labor and Workforce Development
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten introduced the Honoring Vocational Education Act. This critical piece of bipartisan legislation will ensure individuals who attend job training programs, trade schools, union apprenticeships, and similar pathways are recognized as obtaining a postsecondary non-degree award. It will guarantee these individuals' educational status is recognized by the Census Bureau.
Currently, the Census Bureau has no category under educational attainment for apprenticeships or technical certifications in the Current Population Survey (CPS). But there are more pathways to a meaningful career than a four-year degree. This bill will ensure recognition for the tradesmen and women and career professionals who didn’t go to a traditional post-secondary education institution on their path to impactful employment.
“In West Michigan, we believe in honoring the work people do and recognizing the education people receive, whether you went to a college or university, got a technical certificate, went to trade school, or participated in a union apprenticeship,” said Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. “Workforce development issues are top of mind for so many business leaders, workers, and residents of West Michigan. I’m committed to resolving worker shortages and increasing the talent pool here in Michigan: a big part of that is recognizing the value of different kinds of education and talent that’s already here.”
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten is cosponsoring this legislation with Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).
“Vocational education plays a critical role in preparing students for highly skilled, good paying jobs,” said Congressman Marc Molinaro. “We should be recognizing the value in these educational programs and ensuring they are accurately represented in Census Bureau data. Our bipartisan bill achieves this by ensuring individuals who attend job training programs, trade schools, union apprenticeships, and more are recognized as obtaining a postsecondary non-degree award.”
“Every hardworking American should be recognized for their contribution to our society. My grandfather was an electrician. Some of the happiest, hard-working people work with their hands every day. No one should be discounted because they didn’t go to a four-year university. Americans who go through vocational education help keep this country on track,” said Congressman Jared Moskowitz.
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About Representative Scholten:
Representative Hillary Scholten is the first mom and first woman to serve Michigan’s Third Congressional District. She is a social worker and immigration attorney who worked for the Department of Justice under President Obama. Congresswoman Scholten lives in Grand Rapids, MI with her husband, Jesse, and two sons. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from the official office.