Sponsors (6)
The bill improves local workforce development by connecting CTE programs, students, and employers (including women-owned firms) through SBDC/WBC outreach, but it creates administrative burdens, potential budget pressures, and a risk of diverting resources from other entrepreneurship services.
Small businesses and local schools/universities benefit from SBDC/WBC coordination with CTE programs, strengthening local workforce pipelines, reducing skill gaps, and making it easier for employers to find job-ready workers.
Students and CTE graduates gain increased connections to employers and SBDC/WBC entrepreneurship resources, improving job placement and entrepreneurship prospects.
Women-owned small businesses receive tailored support linking them to CTE talent and resources, which can expand hiring options and support business growth.
SBDCs and WBCs may face increased administrative burden from new outreach and coordination duties, diverting staff time from other services.
Taxpayers or the SBA budget could face increased costs if SBDCs/WBCs need additional funding or staffing to implement the new CTE-related activities.
Emphasizing CTE-related pipelines risks shifting some SBDC/WBC resources away from other entrepreneurship services that certain clients rely on.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires SBDCs and WBCs to promote hiring of CTE graduates, inform CTE programs about center resources, and connect businesses with CTE programs using the Perkins Act CTE definition.
Adds a definition of “career and technical education” and requires Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to include career and technical education (CTE) activities in their services. SBDCs and WBCs must educate small businesses about hiring CTE graduates, inform CTE programs about center resources for students and graduates, and connect businesses with CTE programs when appropriate. The change updates two Small Business Act provisions to explicitly integrate CTE-related outreach and matchmaking into SBDC and WBC activities but does not create new grant programs or appropriate funds in the text provided.
Official title: To amend the Small Business Act to include requirements relating to graduates of career and technical education programs for small business development centers and women’s business centers, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Roger Williams · Last progress June 4, 2025