The state House might vote on a bipartisan, nine-bill package to enhance career and technical education on April 30, Altoona’s state representative said.

House Education Committee member Rep. John McGinnis, R-Altoona, emailed Wednesday from Harrisburg that all nine bills will likely be voted on at the next session day on April 30.

The Education Committee approved the bills Tuesday.

“These bills aim to address business and industry workforce shortages, strengthen educational partnerships with business and industry, increase access to CTE programs, and alleviate misperceptions regarding CTE by highlighting the benefits of these programs, training opportunities and future earnings potential to all students,” McGinnis wrote. “I have been and am in full support. Interestingly, at least one of the bills (House Bill 2155) was initiated by tech students with Rep. (Stephen) Bloom on a visit to the Capitol, an excellent example of grass roots democracy.”

The bills seek to update vocational instructional certifications, create tax credits for businesses contributing to career and technical organizations, create an online career resource center and create a workforce development program clearinghouse among other things.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association issued a statement in support of the legislation.

“Career and technical education programs are pipelines between excellent public schools and good paying jobs,” Association President Dolores McCracken said. “(PSEA) is proud to support this legislation and we commend the state representatives who’ve worked on it for the bipartisan approach they’ve taken.”

A summary of the House bills passed by the House Education Committee:

– HB 2155 would provide for new vocational instructional certification requirements.

– HB 2156 would create the Career and Technical Education Partnership Tax Credit Program, available to businesses that contribute to career and technical partnership organizations.

– HB 2157 would require state agencies to issue guidelines and expedite the approval process for schools to initiate new CTE programs.

– HB 2158 would require a school entity to seek representatives of career presenters and consider all equally. In addition, the state will develop and annually update standard career informational materials.

– HB 2159 would expand an online database of information on transferring college-level credits.

– HB 2203 would require the state departments to create and annually update an online career resource center.

– HB 2204 would create a workforce development program clearinghouse.

– HB 2205 would allow career and technical education programs to establish an occupational advisory committee at the Intermediate Unit level.

– HB 2206 would add at least one member to each workforce development board.

Mirror Staff Writer Russ O’Reilly is at 946-7435.