Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Chris Coons have introduced a new bill aimed at connecting trade school graduates with small businesses. The legislation, known as the Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act, seeks to amend the Small Business Act. It would require Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to educate small businesses on career opportunities for graduates of career and technical education (CTE) programs. Additionally, it mandates that these centers educate CTE graduates on starting their own small businesses.

Senator Marshall emphasized the importance of addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers for economic prosperity in Kansas. "By addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers, we can secure Kansas’ long-term economic prosperity," said Senator Marshall. He urged the Senate to pass what he called "commonsense legislation."

Senator Coons highlighted the readiness of CTE program graduates to fill jobs needed by small businesses nationwide. "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," stated Senator Coons.

The bill has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Roger Williams, Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business. Williams expressed gratitude towards Senator Marshall's leadership, stating: "We thank Senator Marshall for his leadership on the Connecting Small Businesses with Career Technical Education Graduates Act."

Support for this legislation comes from organizations such as Skills USA, Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.