Washington, D.C. - As co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) worked with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to preserve funding for career and technical education programs in the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for FY 2008. 

"Career and technical education programs are crucial in providing youth and adults with the skills they need to succeed in a competitive global economy,” said Congressman Baird.  “Preserving funding for these programs is critical as more and more careers will require employees to have highly specialized skills and training.”

The Administration’s budget for FY 2008 proposed eliminating more than half the funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, from $1.9 billion in FY 2007 to $610 million in the FY 2008 budget.  Congressman Baird successfully worked with members of the Appropriations Committee to prevent this cut and restore funding to the FY 2007 level.  

“I have heard from a variety of job sectors, and many are reporting difficulties finding qualified and well-trained individuals to fill high-demand, well-paying jobs,” continued Congressman Baird.  “To slash funding for the very program that supports students pursuing these types of careers would be a grave mistake for our communities’ and country’s overall economic security.” 

According to the Bureau of Labor Standards’ projections, eight out of the top 10 occupations with the largest job growth through 2014 will require an associate’s degree or vocational training.

CTE programs focus education and job training skills in those areas with the greatest demand.  For example, CTE programs help prepare students for all of the 20 fastest growing occupations identified in the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook.

“All jobs in the 21st century will require increasing levels of technical knowledge; CTE programs provide this exposure to job skills to all students, regardless of their future career goals,” concluded Baird.  “As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I will continue working to ensure that funding for these successful programs is maintained.”

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