New Pennsylvania law to expose students to skilled jobs in the trades

The first change in more than 30 years to Pennsylvania’s Career and Technical Education legislation, aims to make it easier for high school graduates to enter the talent pipeline for skilled trade, manufacturing and industry jobs.

The law, Act 76-2019, marks a paradigm shift in how students will be prepared for the workforce during and after they leave high school.

“I sponsored this law because I wanted to address the mounting college debt crisis,” said state Rep. Craig Staats, R-Bucks. He serves the 145^th Legislative District covering much of Upper Bucks County.

It took nearly four years for the bi-partisan bill to be signed into law last year by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Staats was on hand Thursday afternoon for a ceremonial signing of Act 76-2019 at Upper Bucks County Technical School in Bedminster Township.

“Act 76-2019 is an omnibus bill aimed at enhancing career and technical education, job training and workforce development that will help to prepare Pennsylvania students for the workforce and attract employers and economic development to the commonwealth,” Staats said

The new law means high school college-and-career days will now be open to employers, career and technical schools and military representatives to provide a well-rounded menu of career options to students, he said.

Staats does not oppose four-year college degrees, but he said it is not the only route to a fulfilling and successful career.

“Students need to know their options. As a society we push them into a four-year degree program. Some leave high school graduation feeling stigmatized if they do not go to college,” Staats said.

The law aims to address the challenges businesses continue to face finding qualified, skilled-trade talent to fill open jobs, he said.

“There are family sustaining jobs for young people to get right after graduation, and without any student debt,” he said.