Tennessee Gov. Lee touts vocational, technical training push

In this Jan. 25, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, right, asks a question on the first day of budget hearings in Nashville, Tenn. Lee and the top two GOP state lawmakers say they support a push to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Feb 6, 2019 / 06:15 AM AST

Updated: Feb 6, 2019 / 06:15 AM AST

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced his first legislative push, which aims to increase access to student vocational and technical training.

The new Republican governor declined on Tuesday to say how much his Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education initiative would cost, saying the amounts would be revealed soon.

Lee’s office says the program would include student grants funded by the Tennessee Lottery. High school juniors and seniors would be able to use four, fully-funded dual enrollment credits for trade and technical programs. Currently, they can access two credits.

The governor will also recommend new funding for community grants for regional partnerships with community and technical colleges, industry and K-12 schools to establish new work-based learning programs and apprenticeships. Funding would also create dual-credit opportunities and expanded high schools offerings.