Summary#
This bill changes the Small Business Act to add career and technical education (CTE) as a defined term and to require new activities by Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers (WBCs).
Key changes in the bill:
- Adds a definition of "career and technical education" by referring to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.
- Requires SBDCs to provide educational information to small businesses about hiring graduates from CTE programs and about CTE programs that can meet business hiring needs. SBDCs must also give information to CTE programs about how students and graduates can use SBDC resources to start or grow a small business, and where appropriate connect small businesses with CTE programs to help students and graduates find career opportunities.
- Requires WBCs to provide the same types of information and connections specifically for small businesses owned and controlled by women.
The bill was introduced in the House on February 26, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
What it means for you#
- If you run or own a small business, SBDCs and WBCs would be required to share information about hiring graduates from CTE programs and about CTE programs relevant to your hiring needs.
- If you attend or run a CTE program, SBDCs and WBCs would be required to provide information about how your students and graduates can access SBDC or WBC services to start or grow businesses.
- If you are a student or graduate of a CTE program, the bill would encourage connections between your program and local small business support centers so you can learn about career opportunities and business resources.
Expenses#
No publicly available information on costs, funding, or appropriations is included in the bill text or provided metadata.
Proponents' View#
The bill's text shows sponsors want to strengthen links between CTE programs, students and graduates, and small business support centers by adding CTE to the Small Business Act and by listing specific information and connection duties for SBDCs and WBCs.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information on opposition, objections, or formal criticisms is included in the bill text or provided metadata.