Apprenticeship Fact Sheets: The Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship recently updated their fact sheets on apprenticeships. These fact sheets cover a wide range of industries, learner groups such as veterans, initiatives by the office and more. For example, the “Explore Registered Apprenticeship” fact sheet notes that 94% of apprentices who complete a Registered Apprenticeship program remain employed and earn a yearly average salary of $84,000.

State of the Nation Report: The State of the Nation Project, a bipartisan group comprised of policy experts from various organizations, recently published their State of the Nation report. The report evaluates the United States’ progress across several key areas, comparing current performance with historical trends and the progress of other nations globally.  

The average number of years in education for people aged 25-54 has been steadily increasing for the past few decades, an increase seen in other nations as well. 

• The number of adults aged 18-24 employed or in school has been rising, outside a drop during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The percentage of adults aged 25-54 who are employed has typically fluctuated between 75% and 82%, behind many other wealthy nations. 

Geography of Opportunity: The Institute for College Access and Success released a study on the availability of broad-access institutions (BAIs) — colleges that admit at least 80% of applicants — across the nation. The researchers place special attention on some of the nation’s smallest and largest commuting zones, which are zones that share a common economy and labor market, analyzing how many Americans may potentially have no access to nearby BAIs. 

They found that 2.8 million people live in a small-population zone with no BAIs and 5.9 million in a small-population zone with only one BAI. Furthermore, since BAIs in these small-population zones often make up a significant portion of the zone’s postsecondary enrollment, they play a tremendous role in providing education and workforce opportunities.  

In addition, researchers found that a significant number of people in large-population zones also lack access to multiple BAIs. These findings demonstrate how a student’s place of living can dramatically affect their access to postsecondary education opportunities. 

Pathways to Implementation: Bellwether produced a series of briefs that guides state leaders and policymakers to develop and sustain effective career pathways programs for students in their state. 

The briefs in the series, seven in total, each focus on a single element critical to building out career pathways programs such as stakeholder engagement, communications, and data; discuss challenges state policymakers may face; and provide examples from other states who have successfully implemented each element.  

On Feb. 12, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held a hearing that focused on the role of community colleges in workforce development. The hearing underscored the significance of community colleges in equipping individuals with skills that drive economic mobility. 

The witnesses for the hearing were Preston Cooper, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; Dr. Vicki Karolewics, President of Wallace State Community College; Dennis Parker, Consultant for Regional Talent Development for Toyota Motor North America; and Dr. Mary Alice McCarthy, Senior Director for the Center on Education and Labor at New America.  

Karolewics highlighted in her testimony the institution's success through "powerful partnerships and purposeful pathways." She emphasized the importance of stackable credentials, citing the nursing program where students can earn practical nursing credentials while working toward an associate degree. This approach ensures that students facing life challenges can still attain employment as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and earn a sustainable income, but then can continue their education in the future. 

The discussion extended to the potential expansion of Pell Grant eligibility for short-term programs. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Julia Letlow (R-LA) were among the members that used their time to highlight the importance of expanding Pell Grants. Rep. Moolenar in his questions pressed witnesses on the mechanics of how to expand Pell Grants with Cooper citing the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act as one potential model. Rep. Letlow used her time to talk about a community college in her district, Louisiana Delta Community College, which partnered with the Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative and local workforce development board to develop a 16-week line worker program.  

On the witness panel, Karolewics discussed the potential of Short-Term Pell in programs like Wallace State’s commercial truck driving program. She noted that this four-to-five-week course can lead to entry-level positions with average annual salaries exceeding $60,000 in Alabama.  

This week, the U.S. Department of Education announced a new set of nominees for leadership positions, including Kevin O’Farrell as the  Assistant Secretary for Career and Technical Education. We released the following statement on the nomination:

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) congratulates Kevin O’ Farrell on his recent nomination to serve as the next Assistant Secretary for Career and Technical Education within the U.S. Department of Education.

The Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTAE) plays a critical leadership role in helping promote high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs around the country and overseeing the implementation of key federal policies supporting these programs. We are pleased that the nominee to lead this agency has a strong background in CTE and broader education policy.

O’Farrell is currently the Chancellor for the Division of Career and Adult Education in Florida’s Department of Education, and is the state director for CTE there. His experience with the various programs that OCTAE oversees, as well as knowledge cultivated during his long career in education, will be an important asset as the Trump Administration works to prioritize CTE.

CTE plays a critical role in connecting learners to high-wage, in-demand career opportunities that are vital to building a 21st-century workforce and supporting the U.S. economy. It is more important now than ever that experienced and dedicated professionals are working to ensure CTE is supported at the federal level to ensure that all students can enter high-quality CTE programs.

ACTE looks forward to working with O’Farrell and the entire OCTAE team to expand opportunities for CTE students and support CTE educators and administrators throughout the country.

Last fall, the U.S. Department of Education published a series of proposed changes to the Perkins State Plan Guide and Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) tool that states use to submit Perkins performance data to them. The proposed changes would have required states to submit new Perkins V state plans and change many of their performance indicator definitions and operational approaches. Through two formal comment periods, we worked with partner organizations to express concern about these proposals and the administrative burden they would place on states and local Perkins recipients.

While some changes were made to the proposals by the Department during that comment process, the data requirements in particular remained in final revised documents published in mid-January. We continued to work with policymakers and the new Administration to express concerns about the ramifications of the proposed changes.

On February 10, the Department announced that it would be reversing the revisions and reinstating the previous versions of the State Plan Guide and CAR Guide. A notice will be published in the federal register soon. This move should allow states to continue implementing their current plans and data systems without having to make mandated changes.

The Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act of 2025 (S. 383) was reintroduced in the Senate by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Susan Collins (R-ME). This bipartisan legislation would expand federal Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term job training programs, which has been a top priority of the CTE community for many years. ACTE has once again endorsed this bipartisan bill. 

Currently, Pell Grants are not available to postsecondary CTE students in short-term certificate programs less than 600 clock hours (approximately 16 semester hours) over 15 weeks. As a result, many students across the country do not have access to high-quality, short-term CTE programs. These programs can provide the education and skills necessary for in-demand careers and culminate in meaningful credentials that are proven to increase lifetime earning potential and employment opportunities.  

ACTION NEEDED: CLICK HERE to ask your Senators to support the extension of Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term CTE programs by co-sponsoring the JOBS Act.  

Help hold the Senate accountable for supporting CTE students, educators and institutions by advocating for short-term Pell expansion. If you have a specific contact in your Senator’s office, we encourage you to reach out to them directly! Let them know that to cosponsor the JOBS Act, they can contact Rebecca Howard (rebecca_howard@kaine.senate.gov) in Senator Kaine’s office.

Last week marked the start of CTE Month! House and Senate CTE Caucuses introduced their respective CTE Month Resolutions, and the Senate introduced the JOBS Act to expand Pell grants to short-term CTE programs. The Senate also set dates for confirmation hearings on the Administration’s nominees for Education and Labor Secretaries, despite rumors that President Trump plans to issue an Executive Order laying the groundwork for dismantling the Department of Education (which would ultimately require congressional approval).Tensions have also escalated between Democratic congressional leaders and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as that organization has been operating at the Department of Education. ACTE will provide updates on this as it unfolds. Keep reading for more details! 

• CTE Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Resolution Recognizing CTE Month: Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) along with Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a resolution recognizing National CTE Month, which is observed every February. Tell your Reps. to cosponsor the House resolution! The White House also issued a proclamation.  

• Senate Lawmakers Reintroduce JOBS Act Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in high-quality, short-term workforce training programs between 150-600 clock hours over a period of at least 8 weeks. Read the blog for more details! 

• House Holds Hearing on the State of American Education: On Feb. 5, the House Education and Workforce Committee held their first full Committee hearing, “The State of American Education” to discuss issues facing students and their families, as well as faculty and administrators. Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) set the tone for the hearing with agenda items including university spending, foreign influence, social issues and workforce development. Learn more on the blog! 

• Senate HELP Committee to Hold Confirmation Hearings for Secretaries of Education and Labor: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced a hearing for February 13 to review the Administration’s nominee, Linda McMahon, as Secretary of Education. Learn more about McMahon’s nomination on the blog. They also announced a hearing for February 12 to review the Administration’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, Former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer.  

• Department of Education Announces Political Appointees: The Department of Education announced additional appointees, most notable Deputy Under Secretary and Special Assistants on Higher Education and K-12. ACTE will continue to work with the Department to advocate for CTE!  

• Department of Education Updates FAFSA: The Department of Education published the information collection form for the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is on track to launch FAFSA by October 1, 2025. This is the updated deadline, mandated by the FAFSA Deadline Act.  

Earlier this week, the House Education and Workforce Committee held their first full Committee hearing, “The State of American Education” to discuss issues facing students and their families, as well as faculty and administrators. Witnesses included Parents Defending Education President Nicole Neily, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Preston Cooper, Society for Human Resource Management President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor Jr., and NAACP Legal Defense Fund President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson.

Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) set the tone for the hearing with agenda items including university spending, foreign influence, social issues and workforce development. On workforce development, Rep. Walberg noted that a priority for the 119th Congress is a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). He discussed with witnesses the high-level impact of the legislation, emphasizing the opportunity to strengthen the law and ensure that American workers have the skills and knowledge to succeed as they seek alternative pathways. Rep. Walberg also questioned witnesses on the significance of WIOA within the context of AI, and they agreed more funding needs to go toward skilling and upskilling.  

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) also noted that WIOA almost passed in the latest Continuing Resolution, passed last year to extend government funding through March, but was removed at the last minute. He also addressed the conversation surrounding a probable Executive Order that President Trump intends to introduce to eliminate the Department of Education, reminding his colleagues and the public that the Department of Education cannot be eliminated without Congressional approval.  

Rep. Courtney raised the relationship between the Department of Education and Perkins, emphasizing the important role the Department plays in assisting with the goals outlined in CTE legislation and providing funding to critical workforce development programs like welding and nursing.  

House CTE Caucus co-chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) highlighted CTE programs focused on agriculture and business. He also referenced a recent uptick in enrollment in CTE and work the House Education and Workforce Committee has done to bolster CTE in recent years. 

Reps. Rick Allen (R-GA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Mark Messmer (R-IN) also raised their concerns for ensuring that CTE programs and Registered Apprenticeships are properly funded.