McClellan introduces legislation aimed at supporting career and technical education programs
U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) has introduced new federal legislation aimed at helping students and families better navigate career and technical education opportunities while strengthening connections between schools and workforce needs.
The bill, H.R. 7676, is known as the Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act and would support states in creating searchable public directories of career and technical education programs and career pathways. The proposal seeks to make it easier for students, educators and employers to access clear, centralized information about available training and credentialing options.
According to supporters of the legislation, students and families currently face challenges finding consistent, easy-to-understand information about CTE programs, even though more than 11 million students nationwide participate in career pathways. Information about course offerings, credentials, and workforce outcomes often is spread across multiple systems, limiting accessibility and making it harder for employers to connect with emerging talent, according to McClellan.
“As they grow up, students around the country face a whirlwind of overwhelming choices when considering what educational pathway is best for their future,” McClellan said in a statement. “Through this legislation, I hope to make that process easier for students and their families while connecting industry partners with young talent.”
The bill would amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, allowing states to use existing Perkins funding to build statewide directories that outline key details about CTE opportunities. Proposed directories would include program descriptions and course sequences, industry alignment, available credentials and dual-enrollment opportunities, work-based learning experiences, postsecondary and industry partnerships, and evidence showing alignment with labor market demand.
McClellan said the legislation is intended to provide transparent, reliable information that helps students make informed decisions while supporting workforce development.
The measure has been endorsed by Advance CTE, a national organization that advocates for high-quality career and technical education systems.
Supporters believe that creating a centralized information system could help better align education with employer needs, expand access to opportunity, and strengthen the nation’s workforce pipeline as students prepare for careers in high-demand fields.
