The International Code Council applauds the passage of H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, signed into law by the President recently. This legislation reauthorizes through 2024 the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which is the principal source of U.S. federal funding for the improvement of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs.

The reauthorization gradually increases annual funding from $1.2 to $1.3 billion over six years, a nearly 11 percent increase over fiscal year 2018 funding levels, expanding the reach of CTE programs to ensure more students can participate. The legislation cleared both the House and Senate without objection.

The Code Council is an advocate for technical education through its Safety 2.0 programs, an initiative to welcome a new generation of leaders to the building safety profession. The building industry is expected to lose 80 percent of the existing skilled workforce over the next 15 years, providing an opportunity for job seekers looking for rewarding, well-paying careers. ICC is partnering with high schools and colleges across the country to promote the integration of building code instruction into existing curriculums. In addition, the Code Council is working with partner organizations across the U.S. to help veterans who are transitioning to civilian life and their family members learn more about building safety career options.

“We’re excited to see the reauthorization of this important legislation,” said ICC Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes. “Career and technical education programs are an essential piece of our training and education system today, and this legislation will help support opportunities for future building safety professionals.”

Visit www.iccsafe.org/about-icc/safety2/.