Glenn Thompson: “Sunday was World Youth Skills Day. The United Nations General Assembly started this initiative to raise awareness about…”

“Sunday was World Youth Skills Day. The United Nations General Assembly started this initiative to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development. Young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Young people around the world are exposed to lower-quality jobs, greater labor market inequalities, and a longer school-to-work transition period. That is why I am pleased the House unanimously approved my Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act last year, and it has seen action in the Senate as well. Too often, we have seen students pushed down the college-for-all pathway that just doesn't work for some students. CTE has established itself as a path that many students choose in pursuit of industry certification and hands-on skills they can use right out of high school, in skill-based education programs, or in college. By modernizing the Federal investment in CTE programs, we will be able to connect more educators with industry stakeholders and close the skills gap. CTE is an important part of youth skills development, not only in the United States, but in nations around the world. ____________________”