NCCER testifies to Congress about career and technical education

Words: Jennifer WilkersonOn Oct. 27, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN), held a hearing about the ways to reform the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and improve career and technical education (CTE) to better serve students and meet the needs of a 21st century economy.

Tim Johnson, senior director of government affairs for NCCER, discussed the importance of aligning CTE programs with workforce demands. "NCCER is a believer in and supporter of career and technical education," said Johnson. "We believe that CTE is being transformed across the United States and great 'pockets of excellence' have been created. Our challenge is to take those pockets of excellence and, based on regional and specific needs, make them standard practices."

To view Tim Johnson's complete testimony, click here.
Why "The Software Can't Track That" Is Finally Going Away
August 2026

For as long as specialty contractors have used field software, most of them have kept a workaround somewhere: a spreadsheet on a foreman's laptop, a whiteboard in the trailer, or a text thread where crew leads send block counts at the end of the day becau

Monadnock Building
August 2026

Chicago’s Monadnock Building doesn’t dominate the skyline the way it once did. Surrounded by steel-and-glass towers, the dark brick structure can seem almost understated. But for anyone in the masonry industry, it remains one of the most important buildin

Britt Stokes, Acme Brick’s Director of Marketing, Retires.
August 2026

Fort Worth, Texas – After faithfully serving Acme Brick Company for 40 years, Britt has chosen to retire – although he will still be involved with Acme on various projects. Britt began his career with Acme as staff photographer and through dedicati

The First Paycheck
August 2026

Several years ago, Huntley Brothers hired a young apprentice. It was his first real job, and he had never had a paycheck before. Friday rolled around, and he got paid just like everyone else. Later that day, one of the guys told me something I have never