WASHINGTON – June 26, 2018 – BSA | The Software Alliance applauds the passage of the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (CTE) today by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Software currently supports 10.5 million US jobs and they are growing at an incredible rate. Relevant CTE programs – such as technical schools, apprenticeships, and boot camps – offer alternative and effective pathways to help people develop the skills they need to succeed in those jobs. Perkins CTE programs are the principle means for the federal government to support technical education. They need to be updated to encourage private sector participation, strengthen apprenticeships, and ensure these opportunities reach as many Americans as possible across the country.

BSA joined 500 businesses and educators in a letter urging the committee to reauthorize Perkins CTE. We hope Senate leadership will bring this vital piece of legislation before the full Senate for consideration in the near future. The House passed a similar version in 2017. We look forward to working with Congress to bring this legislation to the President’s desk.