Jun. 22, 2018
HARRISBURG – In a bipartisan effort to improve career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives today sent legislation to the governor’s desk, which would remove barriers to certification for CTE instructors.
State Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), author of the legislation, said it will help Pennsylvania recruit qualified educators to prepare young people for in-demand jobs.
“Recruiting the best instructors in career and technical fields is a critical component of matching young people with high-paying jobs right here in our communities and attracting new businesses to the Commonwealth,” Bloom said.
Bloom’s legislation will allow the 18 credits required to obtain a Vocational I certificate to be counted toward the total credit hours required for a Vocational Instructional II certificate and will reduce the total number of credits required from 78 to 60.
Currently, a CTE instructor must take a total of 78 credits over 11 years to maintain certification, including some general education credits.
“It doesn’t make sense to require an HVAC instructor to take a course in an unrelated academic subject,” Bloom said. “Pennsylvania loses many qualified CTE teaching candidates because they simply are not willing to go through an 11-year, 78-credit process.”
Additionally, Bloom’s proposal will increase the years of wage-earning experience in the occupation to be taught from two to four as a way to ensure instructors are qualified in their field.
“While we simplify the certification process, we also want to ensure our students are being trained by the most qualified skilled professionals we have,” Bloom said.
The legislation is based on the findings of the House Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness, which was created to study and review the Commonwealth’s career and technical education policy.
Bloom’s measure was included in the Public School Code portion of the 2018-19 state budget package, which is expected to be signed into law by the governor.
Representative Stephen Bloom
199th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
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