Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act

This bill aims to integrate graduates of career and technical education (CTE) programs more effectively into the small business ecosystem by amending the Small Business Act to expand the roles of key support organizations. It begins by formally defining "career and technical education" within the Act, referencing existing federal law. Specifically, the legislation mandates that both Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers (WBCs) provide new forms of assistance. These centers will now be required to help small business concerns in hiring individuals who have completed CTE programs or programs of study. Furthermore, SBDCs and WBCs must also offer support to CTE graduates who are interested in starting their own small business concerns, fostering entrepreneurship among this skilled workforce.