Apr. 30, 2018
HARRISBURG – The House today passed legislation authored by Rep. Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton) to increase student awareness about workforce needs and opportunities.
The bill is part of a bipartisan package of legislation that seeks to improve career and technical education opportunities and enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum.
“Employers of technical jobs have voiced difficulty in filling positions,” Mako said. “These are good-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. We need to do a better job of communicating these opportunities to students before they exit high school and embark on their careers.”
House Bill 2158 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to annually develop materials outlining workforce needs, including training opportunities and future earning potential. Schools would then distribute these materials to their students. In addition, schools must provide at least one opportunity each year for students in grades four through 12 to receive age-appropriate career information individually or in a group setting.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The 183rd District includes South Whitehall (part), Washington and Whitehall (part) townships and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County. It also consists of Allen, Lehigh and Moore (part) townships, and North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport boroughs in Northampton County.
Representative Zachary Mako
183rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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