HR 1642119th CongressIntroduced

Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025

Introduced: Feb 26, 2025

EducationLabor & Employment

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 would amend the Small Business Act to formally define career and technical education (CTE) and to require federal small business support programs to strengthen links with CTE programs and graduates. Specifically, it adds new duties for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs): SBDCs would provide educational information to small businesses about hiring CTE program graduates, how CTE programs relate to business hiring needs, and how graduates and programs can access SBDC resources to start or expand a business; and, when appropriate, connect small businesses with CTE programs to help students identify career opportunities. WBCs would have similar duties to educate women-owned businesses about hiring CTE graduates, share information with CTE programs about accessing WBDC resources, and, as appropriate, connect women-owned businesses with CTE programs to identify opportunities for students and graduates. The bill cross-references the Perkins Act definition of CTE to ensure consistency with national standards. In short, the bill aims to formalize and expand collaboration among small business assistance programs and CTE education to improve job opportunities for graduates and help small businesses fill employment needs using CTE-trained workers.

Key Points

1Definition update: CTE is defined by the term as used in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, aligning Small Business Act programs with established CTE standards.
2SBDC responsibilities: Adds new subparagraphs requiring SBDCs to provide educational information to small businesses on hiring CTE graduates and on how CTE programs relate to hiring needs; include guidance on how graduates can access SBDC resources to start or grow a small business; and, when appropriate, connect small businesses with CTE programs to help students identify career opportunities.
3WBC responsibilities: Adds new duties for Women’s Business Centers to provide educational information to women-owned businesses about hiring CTE graduates and relevant CTE programs; inform CTE programs about accessing WBC resources; and connect women-owned businesses with CTE programs to help students identify opportunities.
4Cross-agency collaboration: Establishes a formal framework for SBDCs and WBCs to partner with CTE programs, potentially increasing connections between education, entrepreneurship support, and workforce development.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Small businesses (including women-owned businesses) and CTE students/graduates, who may gain improved access to talent and clearer pathways to entrepreneurship and employment.Secondary group/area affected: Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers, which will take on additional information-sharing and networking roles with CTE programs.Additional impacts:- Potential increased demand on SBDCs and WBCs to develop and maintain materials about CTE hiring and program connections.- Strengthened alignment between workforce education (CTE) and small business needs, potentially improving placement outcomes for graduates and hiring outcomes for employers.- Requires coordination with the Perkins Act framework; may influence future funding priorities or reporting requirements, though the text does not specify funding.

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