U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) visited four Clark County manufacturers and a high school Career & Technical Education (CTE) program to highlight the importance of pathways to good-paying careers in the trades and spoke with local business leaders and students, Jan. 3.
Gluesenkamp Perez visited Wolf Industries in Battle Ground, Vigor’s aluminum fabrication facility in Vancouver, Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver, Western Forest Products sawmill in Vancouver and Fort Vancouver High School’s advanced manufacturing and culinary arts courses, a press release by MGP Press stated.
“Careers in the trades demand a high level of skill and expertise, and they’re essential to rebuilding American manufacturing and our middle class,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in the release. “I’m working in Congress to ensure we reduce obstacles to entering the trades and rebuild the prestige of these careers – because our communities will be stronger for it.”
In March, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez introduced the Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education Act to help small businesses recruit CTE graduates and support them in starting their own businesses. She also introduced legislation to encourage more students to pursue CTE pathways and to consider the financial obligations tied to a four-year degree.
