Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
- Committees
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 13, 2025
Bottom line
This bill expands the mission of Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers to specifically support career and technical education graduates in both employment and entrepreneurship within the small business sector.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the responsibilities of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers (WBCs). Specifically, it requires these centers to assist small businesses in hiring graduates from career and technical education (CTE) programs and to assist CTE graduates in starting their own small business concerns.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill will help bridge the skills gap by connecting skilled career and technical education graduates with small businesses that need their expertise. They contend it will foster entrepreneurship among a trained workforce and strengthen the small business ecosystem by providing a pipeline of qualified talent and new business ventures.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that expanding the mandates of SBDCs and WBCs without additional dedicated funding could strain their existing resources and potentially divert attention from other critical services they provide to small businesses. They may also argue that this duplicates efforts already undertaken by workforce development boards or educational institutions.
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its provisions quickly.
Section 2(a)
Definition of Career and Technical Education
This section incorporates the existing definition of 'career and technical education' from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 into the Small Business Act. This ensures that the term, as used throughout the bill, aligns with established federal education law and provides a consistent legal framework for the new mandates.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that explicitly defining 'career and technical education' by referencing an existing federal statute ensures consistency across government programs and avoids ambiguity, making implementation smoother.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against definitional provisions that align with existing federal law, as they serve to clarify rather than introduce new policy.
Tradeoffs
There are no apparent tradeoffs or tensions with this definitional provision, as it primarily serves to provide clarity and consistency.
Section 2(b)
Small Business Development Center Services Expansion
This provision amends the Small Business Act to require Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to undertake two new activities. First, they must assist small business concerns in hiring graduates from career and technical education programs. Second, they must assist graduates of these programs in starting their own small business concerns. This expands the traditional advisory role of SBDCs to include direct workforce and entrepreneurship support for CTE graduates.
Section 2(c)
Women's Business Center Services Expansion
Similar to the SBDC provision, this section amends the Small Business Act to require Women's Business Centers (WBCs) to provide assistance related to career and technical education graduates. Specifically, WBCs must help small businesses hire CTE graduates and assist CTE graduates in starting their own small business concerns. This extends the WBCs' focus on women entrepreneurs to also include workforce development and startup support for CTE graduates, particularly women.