The Senate E-12 Finance Committee heard a bill directing the Southwest-West Central Service Cooperative to develop a rural Career and Tech Ed consortium to provide greater access courses in the area with a $5 million grant from the state.
SF310, authored by Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne), requires the consortium to do the following:
- Develop courses and programs that encourage collaboration
- Develop programs that focus on the industry sectors that fuel the rural regional economy
- Facilitate the development of highly trained students who are equipped with technical and workplace skills needed by regional employers
- Provide access to career and technical education programs for students who attend rural school districts
- Increase student and family awareness of the availability and benefit of career and technical education courses and training opportunities
Former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe and Service Coop Directors Cliff Carmody and Tom Hoff testified in support. Committee members from both sides of the aisle spoke in support of furthering CTE courses throughout the state.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an E-12 finance bill.
