H.R.1642 - Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1642, the "Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025," amends the Small Business Act to better connect small businesses with graduates of career and technical education (CTE) programs. The bill mandates that Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers (WBCs) provide educational information to small businesses about hiring CTE graduates and using CTE programs to meet their hiring needs.
Additionally, SBDCs and WBCs are required to inform CTE programs about how their students and graduates can access resources to start and expand small businesses. The act aims to facilitate connections between small businesses and CTE programs to help students identify career opportunities.
Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen the workforce pipeline by linking CTE programs with the small business sector, fostering economic growth and providing opportunities for students and small business owners alike.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase awareness among small businesses about the benefits of hiring CTE graduates. It should also increase the utilization of SBDC and WBC resources by CTE students and graduates seeking to start businesses.
Furthermore, the act could lead to more targeted CTE programs that align with the needs of local small businesses. This could result in a more skilled workforce and increased job opportunities for CTE graduates.
Ultimately, the act aims to foster a stronger connection between education and industry, promoting economic growth and opportunity.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to skilled labor for small businesses, potentially boosting productivity and innovation.
- Enhanced career opportunities for graduates of career and technical education programs.
- Improved alignment of CTE programs with the needs of the small business sector, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
- Greater utilization of Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers by aspiring entrepreneurs from CTE programs.
- Potential for economic growth through the creation of new small businesses and the expansion of existing ones.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers to fulfill the new requirements.
- Potential for mismatch between the skills taught in CTE programs and the actual needs of small businesses in certain sectors or regions.
- Limited resources may hinder the ability of SBDCs and WBCs to effectively connect small businesses with CTE programs.
- The effectiveness of the act may depend on the quality and relevance of existing CTE programs.
- Possible unintended consequences if the focus on CTE graduates leads to neglect of other potential employee pools.
Constitutional Alignment
The act appears to align with the spirit of the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). By promoting economic growth and opportunity through workforce development, the act aims to "promote the general Welfare."
Furthermore, the act does not appear to infringe upon any specific rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments. It does not establish any religious preference (Amendment I), infringe on the right to bear arms (Amendment II), or violate any other constitutional provision.
Congress's authority to enact this legislation stems from its power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which includes supporting and promoting small businesses.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).