NCCER Testifies to Congress About Career, Technical Education Words: Dan KamysBy Jennifer Wilkerson On 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. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jennifer Wilkerson is the Director of Marketing for NCCER.