Del. Sam Rasoul’s first bill focuses on economic development

This week, Del. Sam Rasoul, the 11th House District’s freshman legislator, gained bipartisan support for his first bill, HB 1128, Cooperative Career and Technical Education.

Wanting to better connect 21st century industries with educators, this legislation would allow School Boards from different localities to partner together to provide cooperative career and technical education courses for middle and high school students. As a result of this legislation, students in one locality could attend a career or technical course offered by a neighboring school district not currently offered in their district. This would greatly increase the opportunity for students to have developed job-ready skills upon graduation.

“I think this is a first-step, commonsense approach to workforce development and growing our economy in the Roanoke region and across the Commonwealth,” Rasoul said. “By listening to the needs of the business community and allowing localities to partner together to implement these programs, our young people can graduate with the skills they need for 21st century jobs and go on to successful careers.”