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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 15, 2023 01:52 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jason Ortitay |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-Sponsorship: ORTITAY - Career Pathways |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to provide the students of Pennsylvania a clear pathway to success here in the Commonwealth, by partnering with our world class community colleges, private industries, and our K-12 education system to create Pennsylvania’s own innovative Career Pathways program. One of the major obstacles Pennsylvania has faced is the depletion of its greatest natural resource, its youth. This legislation can help solve that problem, so our next generation can stay, live vibrant, successful lives, and find joy in their education. This will also help address another major issue, which is college debt. By creating this program, it will allow students to explore different career opportunities by giving them the chance to see what they prefer and what they may not. Whether they move on to a community college, four-year college, or a trade school, students will have a better feel for what career path they would like to pursue, and they might even be able to earn college credits and/or certifications and credentials. The legislation would give them a better opportunity to figure out what they want to do and if college or additional training is necessary. This legislation will use the PA Department of Labor’s High Priority Occupation list. It will provide a list of career fields that schools can choose from, allowing different regions to focus on careers in their area that are in demand or will be in demand in the future. It additionally provides an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to partner with community colleges and schools to develop curriculum, career certificates, career credentials, and college credits that can be utilized after graduation. This creates a pipeline of potential workers for these organizations and gives students the ability to try out different careers. Apprenticeships and internships are another important aspect of this program. While recognizing that people learn differently, sometimes living the experience is the best way to determine one's interest in pursuing a career in a specific field. There has never been a better time in our state's history to innovate and improve our education system. At a time where technology continues to advance at a fast pace, children are essentially handed smartphones and other technology at an early age that previous generations never dreamed of. With this rapid increase of technological methods used to educate in a variety of ways, we have the ability to explore Pennsylvania’s diverse economy and link the needs of that economy with the interests of our students like never before. Please join me in co-sponsoring this paradigm-shifting, innovative approach to reshaping our education system to meet the needs of our students and our economy, positioning both towards a pathway to success. |