Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 20 and House Bill 120 into law, aiming to broaden career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for students in Texas.
“Career training is a game-changer for our students, for our state, and for our employers,” said Governor Abbott. “A four-year college degree is not the right pathway for every student. It may be a smarter pathway for a student to get career training. In just the past two years, the State of Texas has invested more than $7 billion in career training programs across Texas. Career training and technical education is bigger and better than it has ever been with the signing of these two laws.”
At the bill signing ceremony, Governor Abbott pointed out that Texas continues to serve as a model for economic growth by investing in its workforce through initiatives such as the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program, Jobs & Education for Texans Grant Program, and adult high school charter programs. He stressed the importance of updating workforce skills among young Texans through CTE programs. The Governor also stated that investments in career training are creating more job opportunities and higher wages across the state.
In his 2025 State of the State Address, Governor Abbott identified expanding career training as an emergency item during the 89th Regular Legislative Session to prepare Texans for future employment needs.
Attendees at the event included Senator Bob Hall, Representative Gary Gates, Representative Keith Bell, Forney Independent School District (ISD) School Board President Greg Pharris, Forney ISD Electrical Technology graduate Tyler Rivas, along with other state and local officials.
House Bill 20 creates the Applied Sciences Pathway Program. This program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn diplomas while simultaneously completing certificate programs through partnerships with institutions of higher education. Students can replace some graduation requirements with credits from CTE courses.
House Bill 120 aims to enhance college, career, and military readiness by increasing access to quality CTE programs in public schools. It also updates college and career advising by requiring counselors to use current workforce data and provides funding support for military training programs.
