News Releases for May 2007
May 02, 2007
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Hoeven Signs Career And Technical Education Funding Bill
DICKINSON, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today was joined by legislators, educators and community officials to sign House Bill 1019, a $21.7 million Career and Technical Education bill that will help provide North Dakotans with the skills they need to fill the new jobs our growing economy is creating.
Overall the general fund for the Department of Career & Technical Education was increased by $4.9 million, 29 percent over from the previous biennium. This is the largest increase since the mid-1970s, when the current Career and Technical Centers were created.
The $4.9 million in this legislation is part of a total $8 million increase in workforce training funds coordinated between K-12 education, the University System, Commerce Department, Job Services North Dakota and the Department of Career and Technical Education.
"Funding for Career and Technical Education is truly an investment in our people and our future," Hoeven said. "A growing and a diversifying economy means we need a growing and diversified work force, with the skills and knowledge to help us compete in the global marketplace."
In 2006, North Dakota's aggressive economic development efforts produced 7,850 net new jobs, including occupations in manufacturing, technology, energy and other skilled areas. HB 1019 provides funding to programs that will assist high schools and colleges train the workers of the future.
Workforce Training Funding
- An additional $1.7 million - $3,000,000 in total state funding - to provide workforce training grants to postsecondary schools for programs that meet critical workforce needs.
Secondary School Grant Funding
- An additional $2.8 million for grants to high schools, including $1.2 million for at least two new regional Career & Technical Centers in parts of the state not currently served.
- $800,000 in grants to school districts for career and technical education programs, like welding, automotive technology, marketing education, business and office, agriculture, and other programs.
- $800,000 for incentives, including the North Dakota Elementary Student Entrepreneurship Program, which incorporates entrepreneurial training in the curriculum and encourages entrepreneurial activity at the grade school level.
North Dakota Career Resource Network
- An additional $400,000 to provide support for multi-agency career planning and academic guidance program and improved access to career planning resources for students.
"This funding will allow the Department to expand opportunities for students to receive more Career & Technical programming, especially in the western two-thirds of the state, through sharing and cooperative arrangements," said Darrel Remmington, chairman of the State Board of Career and Technical Education.
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