Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold public hearings on the creation of the 21st Century School District of Philadelphia CTE middle and high school focused on careers in trades and technology.

WHEREAS, There are 30 million jobs in the United States that do not require a college degree and pay median earnings of $55,000 or more; and

WHEREAS, As of April 2022, the U.S. construction industry had 440,000 job openings and McKinsey estimates that over 300,000 jobs will be created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; and

WHEREAS, There are roughly 700,000 electricians working in the United States today and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be about 80,000 new electrician jobs available every year until 2031; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia ranks second only to Boston as the nation’s leading hub for cell and gene therapy. A report from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and EConsult Solutions Inc. found our region is already home to more than 15,000 pharmaceutical manufacturing jobs and over 40 companies; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia Works includes construction laborers; construction and extraction supervisors; mechanics, installers, and repairers; transportation workers; telecommunications equipment installers and repairers; HVAC mechanics and installers; and biological technicians on its list of High Priority Occupations; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Education found that 8 years after graduation, students who focused on career and technical education had higher median annual earnings than those students who did not have a CTE focus; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has already seen the benefits of having a robust partnership with trade union apprenticeship programs through the Finishing Trades Institute’s Vocational Internship for High School Students, the PA Talent Pipeline Project, the new Strawberry Mansion Building Trades program, and partnerships with University City Science Center; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has excellent Career and Technical Education programs and schools, but as opportunities in the trades continue to grow, we must expand the offerings for our young people; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes the Committee on

Education

to hold public hearings on the creation of the 21st Century School District of Philadelphia CTE middle and high school focused on careers in trades and technology.

End