An Act to increase student access to career technical education schools and programs which are aligned with regional labor market needs

This bill creates a new Office of Career Technical Education within the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to better align vocational training with local job market needs. The new office will be led by a deputy commissioner responsible for developing policies, enforcing regulations, and supporting innovative programs where students split their time between traditional high schools and vocational schools. Key provisions include establishing new credentials for students based on workplace skills, ensuring instructors are qualified through industry advisory boards, and using standardized assessments to measure student progress. Additionally, the office will work with industry partners to create customized skill assessments and support the use of recognized industry credentials in vocational programs.