An emergency item for Governor Abbott, House Bill 120 will strengthen workforce readiness and provide pathways to real-world careers
Last week, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 120, a critical measure to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for Texas students. As the Senate sponsor of the bill, Senator Schwertner (R-Georgetown) guided the legislation through final passage to better equip Texas students with workforce-ready skills.
Forecasts indicate that by 2030, more than 60% of jobs in Texas will require education or training beyond a high school diploma. However, fewer than 50% of Texans currently earn a postsecondary credential, leaving a workforce skills shortage in Texas. To address this gap and prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers, Governor Abbott declared the expansion of career training an emergency item for the 89th Legislative Session.
“I want to thank Governor Abbott for entrusting me with the important undertaking of preparing our students for the real world,” said Senator Schwertner. “By giving our schools the tools to build high-quality technical education pathways, we’re investing in both our future workforce and the prosperity of every Texas community.”
House Bill 120 expands proven, innovative programs that align educational opportunities with regional workforce needs. These include the Rural Pathways Excellence Partnership Program (R-PEP), which improves access to career training in rural school districts, and the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program, which ensures more students attain an associate degree or certificate while in high school or soon after. House Bill 120 also makes $50 million available for new facilities and CTE-related facility renovations in high-cost, high-need programs of study. House Bill 120 is included in House Bill 2, representing the CTE component of the state’s landmark education package.
“House Bill 120 is about economic strength, individual opportunity, and practical solutions,” Schwertner added. “I’m proud to have helped move this critical initiative forward on behalf of students, business owners, and the long-term prosperity of Texas.”
