Last week, ACTE participated in a Senate CTE Caucus briefing on how CTE provides opportunities for veterans to obtain credentials and new workforce skills. The panelists also discussed postsecondary CTE delivery systems for veterans, and challenges that veterans may face as they enter the civilian workforce. ACTE's Deputy Executive Director Steve DeWitt moderated the panel discussion. The other panelists included
- Davy Leghorn, The American Legion
- Ashely Moore, National Career Development Association
- Herman Odom, University of the District of Columbia Community College
- Jennifer Wilkerson, NCCER
The panelists also spoke about the Troop Talent Act, a bill Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced in 2013 that was incorporated into the 2014 defense bill. The Act makes it easier for veterans to earn credentials for the skills they gain through their military service. Also mentioned on the panel was the critical role that guidance counselors and career development professionals play in both informing students about careers in the military and in helping veterans transition to civilian employment. The panel also raised challenges that CTE programs face in marketing themselves to veterans, and the importance of ensuring veterans have access to meaningful information about their post-service educational options.
Senator Todd Young (R-IN), a co-chair of the Senate CTE Caucus, attended the briefing. He made some remarks about the importance of "harness[ing] the potential of our veterans to improve their lives and their families' lives, while at the same time investing in the needs of our workforce." The briefing, and the Senator's remarks, were covered in a blurb on the website of an Indiana radio show.
ACTE looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Senate CTE Caucus to raise CTE's profile in Congress and to promote all it has to offer.
Comments