Why It Matters

Hearing: [
Committee:
Date & Time: February 24, 2026

Small businesses face an acute workforce crisis that threatens America’s economic foundation. The construction industry’s skilled labor shortage costs approximately $10.8 billion annually, while nearly 94 percent of manufacturers struggle to fill craft positions like electricians, plumbers, and welders.

U.S. manufacturing faces 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, with small manufacturers lacking dedicated resources for training.

But there’s momentum for solutions. Generation Z shows strong interest in skilled trades, with 9 in 10 graduates saying trades offer better economic security than college. CTE enrollment at community colleges grew 16 percent from 2022 to 2023, and youth apprenticeships increased 113 percent between 2010 and 2020.

The House Small Business Committee will host "Career and Technical Education: Developing the Future of Main Street Success" (https://app.legis1.com/hearings/detail?id=92060#summary) on February 24th. It aims to address
small business owners desperate for qualified workers, young people seeking alternatives to four-year degrees, and communities where local employers cannot find talent.

Broader Context

The hearing arrives as federal policy has traditionally emphasized four-year degrees over skilled trades, creating critical workforce voids. Nearly eight million skilled trade jobs were lost during COVID-19, compounding demographic challenges from an aging workforce.

Yet the apprenticeship sector is expanding rapidly, with nontraditional apprenticeships in California increasing 76 percent since 2021. The committee will examine whether CTE programs and targeted federal support can create sustainable pipelines connecting graduates to small business jobs—potentially reshaping Washington’s approach to workforce development.

The Agenda

Committee Leadership:

  • Chair Roger Williams (R-TX-25) authored the Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act and the Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025
  • Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-7) will lead Democratic participation

Between The Lines

Chair Williams is driving this hearing with explicit legislative intent. In a June 2025 Newsmax interview, Williams said his legislation will "Open Up Main Street America."

Bipartisan momentum is building around multiple CTE bills:

Regional members are engaging directly with stakeholders. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) participated in Pennsylvania energy and manufacturing roundtables, while Rep. Rob Bresnahan introduced workforce training legislation after local discussions.

Competitive Landscape

Industry associations like the Precision Metalforming Association and National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association are actively lobbying for federal solutions.

Midwest Urban Strategies advocates for WIOA and Perkins Act funding increases, while Washington State University lobbies on STEM programs and health professional pathways. Even local entities like Bossier Parish, Louisiana seek federal cybersecurity workforce support.

The Bottom Line

The February 24 hearing reflects growing bipartisan consensus that skilled trades are essential to economic growth. With manufacturing facing potential 2.1 million job shortfall by 2030 and Gen Z showing strong trade interest, the committee will spotlight legislation linking CTE graduates with small businesses.

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