Congress Is Looking Out For Tomorrow’s Technicians

When it comes to leaving “no potential tech left behind,” Congress has come through. In its vote on H.R. 366, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, the Republican-led House rejected one of President Bush's budget proposals that would have killed funding for the vocational funding program. The House voted Wednesday 416-9 to approve spending $1.3 billion for the Perkins Act in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, renewing it until 2011. The measure also outlined changes in the popular program for the first time since 1998.

by Ed Sunkin
Editor, Tomorrow’s Technician

AKRON, OHIO — When it comes to leaving “no potential tech left behind,” Congress has come through. In its vote on H.R. 366, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, the Republican-led House rejected one of President Bush’s budget proposals that would have killed funding for the vocational funding program.

The House voted Wednesday 416-9 to approve spending $1.3 billion for the Perkins Act in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, renewing it until 2011. The measure also outlined changes in the popular program for the first time since 1998.

According to the Associated Press, Democrats joined Republicans following the vote in praising the vocational program as crucial in helping youth and adults obtain the technical skills needed for jobs or postsecondary education. It’s reported that nearly half of high school students and about one-third of college students make vocational programs a major part of their studies. The Perkins Act is an important funding program to the automotive repair industry in that it is used to train future automotive technicians and body shop specialists.

Because of its impact on tomorrow’s technicians, the Automotive Service Association was instrumental in bringing attention to this important issue to many individuals this week with a press release urging repair professionals to contact their representatives in support the vocational education bill.

ASA asked repair specialists to visit its webpage, www.TakingTheHill.com, where a sample letter to congressional members was provided.

Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, said the organization supported Rep. Castle’s legislation. “By merging the Tech-Prep program with the Carl D. Perkins Act, it will ensure that the students in vocational education courses are being trained properly to work on today’s advanced automobiles.”

Tomorrow’s Technician is a sister publication of aftermarketNews.

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