Husted introduces bipartisan, bicameral bill to expand career tech awareness

WASHINGTON - Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today introduced the Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act. This bill would help students understand the opportunity and affordability that a career and technical education (CTE) offers by expanding the Department of Education's (ED) Federal Student Aid website to include information about CTE programs, Workforce Pell Grants and Perkins Grant funding.

Reps. Roger Williams (R-Texas) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) introduced the companion bill to the Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act in the House of Representatives.

"Helping Ohioans become career-ready and secure high-paying jobs has been a focus of mine for decades. Career tech programs provide an affordable way for students to join the workforce and help employers fill skilled, in-demand jobs. My bill would equip students with knowledge about all the options that could help them build successful careers faster," said Husted.

"I want to thank Senator Husted for introducing the Senate companion to my bill, the Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act. This crucial piece of legislation allows students to grasp a fuller picture of their post-high school options by highlighting the value of Career and Technical Education alongside traditional college paths. By expanding awareness of CTE programs, we're helping our nation's youth make informed choices and strengthening our skilled workforce for the future," said Williams.

The bill would also require the ED to inform prospective college students of CTE's benefits and sign an acknowledgement before beginning their financial aid applications.

CTE helps students establish careers by combining academic and technical instruction. The programs focus on high-demand, high-skill and high-wage occupations.

This bill builds on Husted's work to strengthen Ohio and America's workforce. He helped pass Workforce Pell Grants into law this summer. Workforce Pell Grants make short-term, high-quality training programs eligible for federal financial aid.

Full text of the bill is available here.