One of the most consistent concerns I hear from local business leaders in my congressional district is not the shortage of jobs available but the shortage of qualified applicants. Every year, thousands of jobs across America go unfilled because businesses are unable to find employees who have the skills to succeed in the field.

Helping more Americans develop these skills is a pressing issue for our country. A good job and a good salary are the golden ticket to opportunity, and sadly, more and more Americans are finding themselves without the means to seize these opportunities. It is incumbent that our nation's elected representatives not only recognize the barriers to opportunity that exist but also correct them.

The House passed two bills this week that move us forward in this regard. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, and the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, will provide millions of Americans with increased access to job training, education, and the skills-based learning opportunities that will allow them to pursue the high-skilled, high-wage jobs that are currently unfilled and elevate their station in life.

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which passed in 1984, provided federal support to state and local career and technical (CTE) education programs. However, it was last reauthorized in 2006 and has not been updated in the 11 intervening years. It goes without saying that the nature of the workforce and its demands have evolved dramatically in the last decade, leaving us with an outdated law whose prescriptions do not conform with the reality of the 21st century economy.

Career and technical education plays an invaluable role in meeting our workforce needs. CTE programs provide students an alternative to traditional four-year degree programs while preserving access to high-skill, high-wage jobs. In fact, half of all science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs require less than a bachelor's degree. More than 8 million Americans currently pursue a certificate, license or degree in CTE fields, and 27 percent of those with a certificate or license earn more than an individual with a bachelor's degree. This rises to 31 percent for CTE students with an associate's degree.