Supporting the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month.

Supporting the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month. Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who are trained in skilled professions; Whereas, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, 80 percent of respondents indicated a moderate to severe shortage of qualified skilled production employees, including front-line workers such as machinists, operators, craft workers, distributors, and technicians; Whereas career and technical education (referred to in this preamble as CTE Whereas CTE helps the United States meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic development, student achievement, and global competitiveness; Whereas approximately 11,500,000 students are enrolled in CTE across the country with CTE programs in thousands of CTE centers, comprehensive high schools, career academies, and CTE high schools, and nearly 1,700 2-year colleges; Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the 3 fastest growing occupations require an associate's degree or a degree with fewer requirements, and each has an annual median salary greater than $50,000; Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce demand and provides relevant academic and technical coursework leading to industry-recognized credentials for secondary, postsecondary, and adult learners; Whereas CTE affords students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields; Whereas CTE students were significantly more likely than non-CTE students to report having developed problem-solving, project completion, research, math, college application, work-related, communication, time management, and critical thinking skills during high school; Whereas students at schools with highly integrated rigorous academic and CTE programs have significantly higher achievement in reading, mathematics, and science than students at schools with less integrated programs; and Whereas February 23, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Act of February 23, 1917 (commonly known as the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 1917 That the Senate (1) designates February 2017 as Career and Technical Education Month (2) supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education month; (3) honors the 100th anniversary of the Act of February 23, 1917 (commonly known as the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 1917 (4) recognizes the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in the United States; and (5) encourages educators, counselors, and administrators to promote career and technical education as an option for students.

Summary: Designates February 2017 as Career and Technical Education Month. Expresses support for the goals and ideals of such month. Honors the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 1917. Recognizes the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce. Encourages educators, counselors, and administrators to promote career and technical education as an option for students.