Senator McGuire hosts meeting focusing on technical education in public schools

 Today, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Senator Mike McGuire hosted a critical bi-partisan meeting of influential Northern California business, agricultural, education and labor leaders on Career Technical Education in public schools. The discussion focused on the new grants that Senator McGuire secured this year, industry representatives outlined their priorities for a well-trained workforce and local educational leaders briefed the gathering on how they are advancing results-driven CTE programs, which benefit local students and our state’s economy. A robust conversation also took place on the need to secure a long-term, dedicated revenue source for CTE programs in the years to come.

 “We know that results-driven Career Technical Education increases high school graduation rates and ensures California has a skilled workforce that will help our economy grow,” Senator Mike McGuire said. “Nearly 70 percent of our state’s public high school graduates will not achieve a four year degree and we need to work together to secure a long-term funding source for these valuable career training programs since there are only three years left in this recent and final funding allocation.”

Senator McGuire has made it a priority to increase the state’s commitment to Career Technical Education by investing millions of dollars into new and expanded high-quality programs. Earlier this year, in partnership with the Administration, Senator McGuire and Superintendent Torlakson successfully organized a bi-partisan coalition that secured the largest investment in career training programs over the last decade – $400 million was included in the state budget for career training programs, with a total of $900 million allocated over the next three years. However, these funds are temporary and once this current funding cycle is completed, there will no longer be a reliable source of revenue for CTE programming in California.

“These collaborative programs have created remarkable teams, including high schools, community colleges, business and labor. So far more than 1,500 businesses have offered internships and mentorships. These are hands-on, relevant learning experiences with the clear purpose of preparing students for 21^st Century jobs,” Torlakson said.

Across the state, CTE programs have been cut by districts as California’s education financing structure has undergone significant change. Because CTE classes are not part of high school graduation requirements, local school districts have less incentive to invest in those programs.

Wednesday morning’s meeting at the State Capitol – attended by 50 business, agricultural, labor and education leaders from across Northern California – was an opportunity to discuss and share the unique programs already in place throughout the state and begin the process of establishing a long term, sustainable funding source for career training and job skill programs in our local schools.

“CTE programs prepare students for in-demand careers like those in the evolving technology and health care industries along with manufacturing,” said Senator McGuire. “Investing in Career Technical Education programs is good for the economy and local businesses, and is important to the success of our future generations in the workforce.”

In addition to the largest investment in the last decade in CTE programs made this year, Senator McGuire’s Career and Job Skills Education Act ensures smaller school districts are not at a disadvantage when it comes to applying for CTE funding and that urban and rural districts alike that have high drop out and unemployment rates will receive priority when applying for funding. In addition, districts that have high English Language Learner populations, low income families and foster youth will also be provided priority.

Attendees of the meeting included representatives from: Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin counties.

Representing Humboldt County were: David Enos, Humboldt County Office of Education, Dena McCullough, McCullough Construction, Susi Huschle, Humboldt County Office of Education, Sandy Dale, Fortuna High School Agriculture Program Specialist, Fred Van Vleck, Eureka City Schools Superintendent.