James M. Jeffords: “I will make a few comments on the vocational education bill at this time. Today we are considering the reauthorization…”

“I will make a few comments on the vocational education bill at this time. Today we are considering the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act. This is one of the most important proposals we will consider in the 105th Congress. In July, we passed the Workforce Investment Act. The reauthorization of vocational education is an important partner to the Workforce Investment Act. There are presently between 200,000 and 300,000 unfilled positions in the technology field. The reason for the difficulty in filling these positions is not because of low unemployment numbers, but because of the lack of skilled workers. Many of these jobs do not require four years and plus of postsecondary education. They do require an excellent vocational education system and the ability to pursue further technical education following high school education. One of the most fascinating facts to come out of the Senate Labor Committee's hearings on vocational education, was that Malaysia has replicated our Tech Prep model.”