Midterm Election Impacts CTE Caucus Membership

Last week, we reported on the preliminary results from the 2018 midterm election. While some congressional races remain too close to call and are headed for recounts, a clearer picture has emerged as to how the elections have impacted CTE caucus membership

First, all CTE Caucus co-chairs were re-elected. In the Senate, the two caucus co-chairs who were up for election emerged victorious, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The same holds true for the House CTE Caucus, where Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI) were both re-elected.

On the Senate side, we hope the results will net a gain of at least two caucus members. The only Senate CTE Caucus member that will not be returning is Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), who lost her re-election bid. However, Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who defeated her, was a member of the House CTE Caucus who we believe will join the Senate CTE Caucus after his swearing in. Additionally, Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the House CTE Caucus, defeated incumbent Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV). Because Rep. Rosen was as a member of the House, we hope she will likewise join the Senate CTE Caucus. Similarly, it appears that Rep. Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), also a House CTE Caucus member, won her senate race in Arizona. Accordingly, Senate CTE Caucus membership is poised to increase by at least two members.

In terms of House CTE Caucus membership, there will be a number of members dropping off of the caucus. This is in part due to the large number of retirements in the House, the significant number of incumbents defeated, and those representatives who chose to pursue other office. Those members of the caucus who are not returning to serve in the House are:

• Lou Barletta (R-PA) (Retired to run for Governor)
• Rod Blum (R-IA) (Defeated)
• Mike Coffman (R-CO) (Defeated)
• Ryan Costello (R-PA) (Retired)
• Kevin Cramer (Retired to run for Senate—Elected)
• Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) (Retired)
• Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) (Retired)
• Ruben Kihuen (D-NV) (Retired)
• Jason Lewis (R-MN) (Defeated)
• Mia Love (R-UT) (Not yet called, but losing)
• Rick Nolan (D-MN) (Retired)
• Jared Polis (D-CO) (Retired to run for Governor—Elected)
• Jacky Rosen (D-NV) (Retired to run for Senate—Elected)
• Steve Russell (R-OK) (Defeated)
• Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) (Retired)
• Krysten Sinema (D-NM) (Retired to run for Senate—Elected)

Following every congressional election, ACTE meets with new Members of Congress. As part of this outreach to freshmen Members, ACTE recruits new members for the congressional CTE Caucuses. We believe that through these efforts, and with the help of grassroots advocacy from our members, we can add more Members of Congress to the Senate CTE Caucus, and replace (and exceed!) the 14 House CTE Caucus members who are not returning to Congress.

Our optimism about increasing CTE caucus membership comes in part from the number of political ads that included mention of CTE and workforce training as key messaging points. From ads discussing the skills gap and efforts to create a new CTE diploma, to promises to focus on "job training in the skilled trades," CTE was frequently included in the campaign narrative.

Once the 116th Congress is sworn in, we'll be asking CTE advocates to contact their Members of Congress, particularly any new members, to ask them to join their respective CTE Caucus. To stay up-to-date on these requests, be sure to sign-up for ACTE's legislative alerts here.

Comments

[LA Benson]

To Representatives J.Langevin and GT Thompson, and all those who are part of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Office, please continue to offer assistance and promote changes in the offerings of CTE programs.
How do we diversify teaching modes to ensure the best opportunities for all students in the workforce? We could begin with preparing students for apprentice programs, in specific fields. The Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology has an answer, “Apprenticeship programs are on the rise due to employer demands and proven results” (PEAT.com) Creating workforce development programs and federally funded education programs that cater to specific community needs is the best way to effectively improve job acquisition, employment retention, and firm career paths. Allowing the disabled to have a part in apprentice programs would provide opportunities they may not otherwise have. Apprenticeship programs working in conjunction with CTE programs can diversify training methods to include the needs of the disabled. There is a need to overhaul the offerings in Career and Technical Education schools and Adult education programs, to reflect the changing needs of the community. At the NY Dept. of Labor website, in the research and data section, information can be culled to see which fields are good to maintain or open new programs in. Researching further, gives the average number of people in a region that are qualified for the specific positions as well as the number of positions that can be expected to be filled. Armed with this information, it is imperative, Vocational Education programs revise their programs, deleting programs that have reached a saturated level of qualified potential employees and open new programs that reflect the regional changes in workforce opportunities. State Department of Labor sites offer Long Term Employment Projections in specific regions. Why, then are there still programs being offered to students for positions that no longer exist? It stands to reason, any vocational program running several years will churn out a number of qualified students, and eventually the positions in the community will be filled, to the point of having too many qualified employees and not enough positons.
The Presidential Executive Order issued on July 55, 2017, promotes the expansion of apprenticeship programs countrywide. With inclusive apprenticeship programs, all Career and Technical Education students will have greater opportunities for successful career paths. Offering training that will benefit employers, creating apprenticeships, which will be inclusive and create a diverse workforce, ensures CTE students disabled and non-disabled alike, have the best training and opportunities.
Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT). Retrieved from
http://www.peatworks.org/apprenticeship
White House Presidential Actions. (2017). Presidential Executive Order
Expanding Apprenticeships in America. Retrieved from
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/3245/
New York State Department of Labor. Employment Projections. Long Term
Occupational Employment Projections. Retrieved from
https://labor.ny.gov/stats/lsproj.shtm