Career pathways legislation passes House

The Chamber-supported career pathways legislation, HB 75 (Belcher), unanimously passed the House Education Committee today. The bill would provide career-based programs of study for high school students and has the potential to keep more students engaged in school. Many times, students at risk of dropping out of high school are uninterested or under-challenged by the traditional approach to academic curriculum. The bill would give students more options and improve career and technical programs with hands-on experiences in specific career paths. Many industries are in need of a qualified and readily available workforce to replace the increasing number of retiring baby boomers, and this bill could help fulfill this need. This bill joins SB 38 (Westwood)and HB 28 (Yonts) in its approach to a career-based program of study for high school students. A top priority of both the Chamber and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, we encourage legislators to move forward and pass this legislation this session. The bill will now move to the full House for a vote.