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.
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara
Business Management
Read More
Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Read More
Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More