To petition for the continued funding of the Carls D. Perkins Act, senior Trenton Kixmiller, along with members of the SkillsUSA group, took part in a trip to D.C. Sept. 20 to Sept. 24.

“There were about 400 SkillsUSA members from across the U.S. that attended this conference. Trent and I met with the legislative aide of Ann Wagner,” SkillsUSA advisor Rosina Palmer said.

SkillsUSA, a program that describes themselves as a “partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce” helped advocate the reauthorization of the Carls D. Perkins Act.

“SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens,” the organization’s website declared.

Since being passed in August 2006, The Carls D. Perkins Act has provided funding for CTE programs at technical schools across the nation with the ultimate goal of generating a stronger workforce for the future.

“Carls Perkins funding is a federal grant that is given to states who then allocate to schools with career technical education programs like South Tech.  It is vitally important that this grant get re-authorized by Congress as it helps these programs fund the many programs we have,” Palmer said.

The act officially expired with the end of the 2013 fiscal year and has since relied on congressional funding to function. SkillsUSA, as well as technical schools all over the country, believe keeping the act alive is necessary to maintaining a stable economy.

“Studies now show that the jobs that are available now require skills students attain from such programs as advanced manufacturing, health care, computers. Many of these programs segue into jobs that do not require a four year degree and these jobs pay better with less chance of the employee getting laid off.  So career technical education helps to build a more stable economy providing businesses with the skilled labor they need,” Palmer said.

Trenton Kixmiller first got involved in the program through his instructor, John Ardnt, at South Tech High.

“[The idea of going to D.C.] was pushed on me by my shop teacher, but when I got involved in it, it was fun and I got a lot out of it,” Kixmiller said. “I’m in a career tech program, and I’m in automotive, so I just wanted to be there for other kids so they could do it just like I am.” Kixmiller said.

Kixmiller spoke with the aides of various representatives and senators on the importance of upholding the Carls D. Perkins Act.

“I brought up the skills gap in America, how everyone is pushing for four-year colleges and there’s not skilled people out there to do jobs. Like, we have unemployment issues, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t jobs, just that there aren’t people with the skills to do these jobs,” Kixmiller said

The congressional vote on whether or not to reauthorize the Perkins Act will take place in November. Kixmiller and Palmer, as well as SkillsUSA members, are hopeful for a full reauthorization of the Perkins Act.

“My guess would be that Perkins will get re-authorized.  I just hope it is at the same level and that it is not cut. Career technical education helps to build a more stable economy providing businesses with the skilled labor they need,” Palmer said.

Kixmiller’s trip to D.C. is a strong example of students taking initiative and having a voice in the workings of their government in order to create a better future.

“They always say that one person can make a difference and it really drove that point home to be able to talk to all the decision makers,” Kixmiller said.