WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) along with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) issued the following statements after introducing the “Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act.”

“Starting a small business is a leap of faith,” said Chairman Williams. “This bipartisan piece of legislation ensures federal resources are being used to support entrepreneurs and connect businesses with qualified employees. It is our responsibility to better aid these entrepreneurs so they can achieve the American Dream. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our nation’s primary job creators.”

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“Exciting economic developments that will offer good paying opportunities for Kansans are taking place throughout our state,” said Senator Marshall. “But what crosses my mind when I hear about these projects is who will build and maintain the facilities, and who will work there. Filling in the growing gap in the supply of skilled trade workers is crucial for providing the economic support new businesses need to thrive. This bill connects CTE graduates to communities where their unique skill set is desperately needed.”

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“Graduates of career and technical education institutes have the skills that small businesses in Delaware and other states desperately need,” said Senator Coons. “Whether it’s in health care, construction, or beyond, the Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act will bridge the gap between those businesses and the hardworking students seeking to land the good-paying jobs for which they’ve trained. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill to ensure Delawareans and workers from across the nation can make the most of their careers.”

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“Success is still too often defined as having a college degree, and that often results in the lack of investment in career and technical education programs. Not only do we need to expand these programs, but we also need to make sure that students can be connected to good-paying jobs after they graduate,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bipartisan bill is an important step forward in that effort, and I want to thank Chairman Williams for working with me to support CTE students and small businesses across the country.”

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“Small business is strengthened with support from career and technical education (CTE) programs,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Curry. “When entrepreneurs have the resources they need to start their own businesses in their communities, and workers can enter rewarding career paths with upward mobility, economic growth is possible. Supporting small businesses that hire CTE program graduates is just one step we can take to ensure that we build a strong pipeline of skilled workers in high-need industries. ACTE is proud to support this legislation, and we thank Congressman Williams for his leadership and focus on the role small businesses play alongside CTE in developing a strong economic future for our country.”

Background:

The bill will amend the Small Business Act to direct Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers (WBCs) to increase their services to assist small businesses in hiring graduates from career and technical education programs. The bill also supports career and technical education graduates by directing SBDCs and WBCs to assist them in starting up a small business.

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