Lawmakers pushing bills focused on technical education

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – House and Senate leaders are pushing to pass two bills focused on career and technical education for high school students.

The first is called the TRAIN ACT — it would let businesses send their skilled workers to teach classes, and in return, those businesses get a tax credit.

“I think it is most important since we started this program this program so I’m proud to announce in the ETF we will put another $150 million and it’s expanding career tech all across the state from one corner of the state to the other and the gentleman behind me are the ones that are moving the bills and passing legislation to make it a priority,” says Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter, the Speaker of the House.

The second is the CTE Teacher Certification Act — this one makes it easier and faster for schools to bring in qualified instructors.

“It really does two things first and foremost is it creates a pathway or a certificate router that these individuals that are in the career tech field can now be teaching in the classroom they’re bringing the real world experience into the classroom and then it allows their employers to get a tax credit for loaning that employee to the classroom,” says Representative James Lomax of Madison County.

So far, both bills have passed the Alabama House of Representatives with full bipartisan support.