U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen CTE Teacher Training and Prepare Students for the Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, was joined by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH), co-chairs of the Caucus, along with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), to introduce the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act. This bipartisan legislation will create a teacher residency grant program to help address the CTE teacher shortage in schools. 

“I’ve heard firsthand from students, businesses and manufacturers in Wisconsin and it’s clear that we need to do more to support career and technical education so people are better equipped for the high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Senator Baldwin. “Career and Technical Education has shown to be one of the most effective ways to respond to our workforce readiness needs so I’m proud to work across party lines on this effort. This bipartisan legislation will help address the CTE teacher shortage by taking action to recruit and train high-quality CTE teachers.”

Through the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act, this grant program creates partnerships between elementary, middle or high schools and higher education institutions to offer one-year teacher residencies to train prospective educators. The legislation takes a proactive approach to recruit and train high-quality CTE teachers who will be able to better prepare students with the skills needed to fill in-demand jobs.

The residencies target mid-career professionals in related technical fields, recent college graduates, veterans or currently licensed teachers with a desire to transition to a CTE focus, to provide students with the opportunity to learn from teachers who have had success in their field of interest. The bill is supported by the Alliance for Excellent Education, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and Advance CTE.

Senator Baldwin has been a strong supporter of CTE investments and support. Senator Baldwin introduced legislation last month that would make community and technical college more affordable for students. The America’s College Promise Act would create a new federal-state partnership to provide two years of tuition-free access to community or technical college programs that lead to a degree or industry-recognized credential.