Yesterday in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott put pen to paper on two pieces of legislation aimed at ramping up career and technical education for students across the state. The move, intended to bolster both educational options and the state's workforce, saw the enactment of House Bill 20 and House Bill 120. In an event covered by local leaders and stakeholders, Abbott emphasized the importance of providing diverse pathways to success beyond the traditional four-year college degree.
"Career training is a game-changer for our students, for our state, and for our employers," Governor Abbott declared. He went on to remark about the state's hefty investment over recent years, "In just the past two years, the State of Texas has invested more than $7 billion in career training programs across Texas."
According to a statement from the governor's office, the new legislation falls in line with the vision Abbott laid out earlier this year in his State of the State Address. Declaring the expansion of career training an emergency item, Abbott showcased its commitment to ensuring the workforce can adapt to rapidly changing job markets.
House Bill 20, a product of Representative Gary Gates's legislative efforts, ushers in the Applied Sciences Pathway Program. This new pathway will enable juniors and seniors in high school to simultaneously earn diplomas and complete certificate programs through IHE partnerships. House Bill 120, brought forth by Representative Keith Bell, aims to systematically improve college, career, and military readiness by expanding access to high-quality CTE programs, including some that provide military training opportunities, and to modernize college and career advising.
The ceremonial bill signing gathered several notables, including Senator Bob Hall, local school board President Greg Pharris, and Forney ISD Electrical Technology graduate Tyler Rivas.
