ACTE, Advance CTE Commend Senate FY25 Labor-HHS-ED Funding Bill
Alexandria, VA – Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) commend the Senate Appropriations Committee for recently advancing federal fiscal year 2025 (FY25) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-ED) appropriations legislation– a proposal that would provide for a $35 million increased investment in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act’s (Perkins V) State Grant Program. We urge Congress to enact this critically needed increased investment in CTE as the wider FY25 process continues to advance this year.
ACTE and Advance CTE are particularly encouraged to note the broad bipartisan support this FY25 funding proposal received during the Committee’s recent consideration of this measure. Increasing the investment in Perkins V’s foundational support for state and local CTE systems is critical to ensuring that all learners have access to high-quality CTE learning opportunities directly supported by this legislation.
Despite current budgetary constraints, we applaud the Senate Appropriations Committee for recognizing the importance of this annual federal investment which supports CTE pathways that lead directly to further education, training, and family-sustaining employment. We also were pleased to note overall levels of investment in other critical education and workforce development programs in support of the wider career preparation ecosystem.
While our organizations continue to have concerns regarding additional funding for competitive grant programs as envisioned in this FY25 proposal, particularly in light of such a challenging fiscal environment, we encourage Congress to ensure that if these funds are allocated, they are targeted for activities that are truly innovative and not duplicative of the existing, foundational investment made in CTE through Perkins V’s State Grant program.
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The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality and equitable CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career and college success without limits for each learner.
