About Us

The Strengthening Career & Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)  is a federal program designed to support development of the academic knowledge, technical skills, and employability of secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in CTE programs and state recognized Programs of Study (POS).  A core focus of the Perkins V Act is to align secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs to the needs of the regional, state, and local labor market.  Perkins support of CTE programs and programs of study is done by:

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• Building on the efforts of States and localities to develop challenging academic and technical standards and to assist students in meeting such standards, including preparation for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations in current or emerging professions.

• The purpose of the Perkins V Act is to develop more fully the academic knowledge, technical skills, and employability of secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in CTE programs and programs of study.

• Promoting the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous, challenging academic and career and technical instruction that link to secondary and postsecondary education in career pathways for participating CTE students.

• Increasing the employment opportunities for populations who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, including individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, out-of-workforce individuals, youth who are in (or have aged out of) the foster care system, and homeless individuals. (Noted in new Perkins V legislation).

•  Supporting partnerships among secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, area CTE schools, local workforce investment boards, business and industry, and intermediaries.