Congressman Fong Spotlights Educational Choice, Career Pathways, and Skilled Trades Fair in The Bakersfield Californian
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) published an op-ed in The Bakersfield Californian titled “From classrooms to careers — empowering parents and encouraging skilled trades,” highlighting his commitment to expanding educational opportunities, giving parents greater choice, and strengthening career pathways that prepare students for high-demand, good-paying jobs in the skilled trades. Congressman Fong also spotlights his upcoming Skilled Trades Fair, taking place September 13 in Bakersfield.
Read the full text below:
Every parent knows that no two children learn the same way. Just as no two students are alike, we must create new pathways and opportunities to help each of them succeed.
One often-overlooked aspect of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the meaningful way it empowers parents to choose the best school for their child, while also expanding opportunities in skilled trade education for local students.
One of the most transformative aspects of this legislation is the creation of the first-ever federal tax credit scholarship program. This allows individuals and businesses to receive up to $1,700 per year in tax credits for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations, providing funding to students seeking educational options.
Families will now be able to access scholarships to attend the school that fits their child best — private, religious, charter, or homeschool. Now, families who earn up to 300% of the area median income can access this resource.
As more families take advantage of flexible educational spending, the demand for high-performing school models naturally rises. In the Central Valley, students already benefit from a wide range of options — from strong traditional public schools to innovative charter schools, private and faith-based institutions, and homeschooling.
Charter schools, in particular, have emerged as models of excellence by pioneering innovative approaches and creating student-centered learning experiences tailored to individual needs. Our local charter schools throughout Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties are proving what’s possible when innovation is paired with high expectations. These schools enhance our Central Valley educational systems by offering families additional pathways to success.
Recently, the Trump Administration’s Department of Education announced an additional $60 million for the Charter Schools Program, raising its FY 2025 budget to a record $500 million. These funds will support new charter school competitions and a national initiative to share best practices from successful charter models — including many here in our communities.
Another major development in One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the expansion of 529 education savings accounts. Once limited to college, families can now use them for K–12 learning materials, homeschooling, dual-enrollment courses and even trade certifications. This ensures students are not only prepared for college, but also ready to step directly into the workforce.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also streamlines Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and provides $33 million in new grants for Charter Management Organizations. Together, these improvements expand opportunities for students — ensuring they have multiple pathways to success, whether through college, trades, or directly entering the workforce.
That workforce urgently needs talent. By 2028, more than 3 million skilled trade jobs could go unfilled, according to Forbes. If we want to keep America strong, we must help the next generation see the value in these skilled career pathways.
Whether it’s community college, a four-year university or an apprenticeship program, it’s critical we create space for our students to thrive. For many, the skilled trades offer not only stable careers, but strong salaries and a fulfilling purpose.
That’s why I’m hosting our district’s first-ever Skilled Trades Fair on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Associated Builders and Contractors in Bakersfield. Local high school students will have the chance to explore hands-on career paths — from carpentry and electrical work to advanced manufacturing — while connecting with local employers eager to invest in the next generation of talent.
My goal is to show students how classroom learning translates into real-world careers, strengthening the bridge between education and industry. Together, we can inspire bright young minds, build a stronger workforce pipeline, and grow our local economy.
From local initiatives to national policy, our focus must remain on empowering families and expanding opportunity. Every parent deserves a voice in their child’s education, and every student deserves the chance to pursue a pathway that leads to their own individual success.
The Central Valley has always embodied the ingenuity that defined America’s 20th-century leadership. By giving families real educational choice and preparing students to succeed, we can honor that legacy, grow opportunity here at home, and strengthen our nation for generations to come. I will continue to champion policies that give every student the chance to thrive on the path that is right for them.
Rep. Vince Fong is the congressman for California’s 20th District.