Committee Statements

This committee has convened numerous hearings in Washington to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s classrooms and workplaces. Whenever possible, we like to bring the voices of everyday Americans to the Capitol to learn their ideas on how to move our country forward. But it’s even better when we have the opportunity to get out of Washington and into local communities, which is why we are in Phoenix today.

My friend and colleague Matt Salmon invited the committee to Arizona’s 5th District to talk to area business leaders, education stakeholders, and state officials and learn how people are working together to prepare graduates in the Grand Canyon State for success in the workforce.

Arizona’s economy continues to show signs of improvement. The unemployment rate has declined over the last year, and in January the state created 8,300 new jobs. To continue this trend, it is critical more young people in Arizona have access to the training, education, and hands-on experience necessary to meet the needs of the local workforce and compete for in-demand jobs.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce last year advanced legislation we called the SKILLS Act to revamp the nation’s network of job-training programs, empower employers, and help put more Americans back to work.

The committee is now working to improve career and technical education, or CTE, by reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. We are also exploring opportunities to strengthen our higher education system through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

One of our top priorities in both these endeavors is supporting innovation, whether by encouraging CTE schools to adopt technology that mirrors the tools used in the local workforce, or by championing policies that help students earn a postsecondary degree in less time, with less debt. In fact, Matt Salmon has introduced legislation known as the Advancing Competency Education Project of 2013 that lets colleges offer federal financial aid based on students’ prior experience and knowledge instead of credit hours – allowing students to advance in a degree program faster without accumulating as much debt.

As the committee continues to examine ways we can boost innovation and support a 21st century workforce, it’s important we hear from students, educators, and state and local leaders about challenges and opportunities facing the workforce and education system. Your feedback helps inform and strengthen our work in Washington, and we are grateful for your input.

 

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