Senator Marshall and Senator Coons Introduce Bill Connecting Trade School Graduates with Small Businesses

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) introduced the Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act.

This legislation amends the Small Business Act to add a requirement for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to educate small businesses on identifying career opportunities for graduates of career and technical education (CTE) programs. It also requires SBDCs and WBCs to educate graduates of CTE programs on how to start a small business of their own.

“By addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers, we can secure Kansas’ long-term economic prosperity,” said Senator Marshall. “The Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act helps close the gap by connecting CTE graduates with employers, strengthening our workforce, supporting small businesses, and driving economic growth. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this commonsense legislation.”

“Graduates of career and technical education programs are ready to succeed in the valued jobs that small businesses in Delaware and across the country urgently need to fill,” said Senator Coons. “The Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act can help bridge the gap between capable CTE graduates and small businesses in high-growth industries like health care and education, science and technology, food and agriculture, and manufacturing and logistics. I’m thrilled to reintroduce this bipartisan bill alongside Senator Marshall to empower workers and support small businesses nationwide.”

U.S. Representative Roger Williams (R-Texas-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“We thank Senator Marshall for his leadership on the Connecting Small Businesses with Career Technical Education Graduates Act,” said Chairman Roger Williams. “This important legislation will create greater opportunities for small businesses to employ high-quality technical graduates and support hard-working Americans seeking to improve their lives through technical education.”

The bill is supported by Skills USA, Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area. 

BACKGROUND:

• America is facing a worker shortage crisis. In Kansas, there are only 51 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
• The job market is experiencing a high demand for skilled workers, particularly in fields like technology, healthcare, and construction.
• This legislation is a step in addressing the worker shortage crisis facing our country and empowering career and technical education graduates with the resources and connections they need to enter the workforce and thrive.

Click HERE to read the full bill text.

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