Rep. Holden's Paid Career Technical Education Internship Bill Passes the Assembly Education Committee, Expanding Opportunities for California Students

Rep. Chris Holden's bill AB 2273, which would establish the California Pilot Paid Internship Program in the state Department of Education, successfully passed the Assembly Education Committee this week.

The bill aims to increase opportunities for students by, among other things, authorizing the Department of Education to allocate grants to local education agencies to support paid career technical education (CTE) internship programs.

CTE internships provide students with a structured program that integrates several years of core academic knowledge with technical and professional expertise. This approach allows students to tailor their education based on their career interests and learning requirements.

Research shows that CTE significantly improves high school graduation rates and increases the number of students who complete college degrees. In the 2021-2022 school year, California recorded 647,608 CTE participants.

“CTE is not only beneficial in preparing students to confidently enter the workforce, but also to help students from society who have been unable to consider certain careers due to financial hardship, disability, or other obstacles.” We provide marginalized students with a path to success. We recognize their outstanding abilities,” said Rep. Holden.

Holden said the growing disparity between labor demands and educational resources in California's thriving economy means that high school CTE courses, community college programs, and long-term educational programs are seamlessly connected to each other. He said this highlights the importance of building pathways. He added that these initiatives are critical to meeting the needs of a high-demand industry and improving the career prospects of individuals.

Mr Holden also highlighted the importance of investing in future generations amid challenges such as homelessness and the need to support young people to secure stable livelihoods, advance their careers and contribute positively to their communities. did.

“As the number of unhoused communities grows, we must start thinking about how we can support the next generation and help them start their lives with security, secure housing, develop careers, and support their families. “Hmm,” he said. “Children are our future, and how we invest in them now will determine how great we will be in the future.”