JFAC hears request to expand CTE capacity, governor recommends $10 million for high‑demand programs

BOISE, Idaho — The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Feb. 10 heard an overview of the Division of Career Technical Education’s base budget and a series of FY2026 funding requests as lawmakers pressed officials about waitlists, faculty shortages and the role of industry partnerships.

Kevin Campbell, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee CTE operates statewide across secondary schools, six technical colleges and adult education programs and that the division’s appropriations are concentrated in personnel and postsecondary instruction.

Joshua Whitworth, interim state administrator for the Career Technical Education division and executive director for the State Board, told lawmakers demand for CTE programs has surged. “We are seeing large demand across the entire career technical education ecosystem,” Whitworth said. He said the division can provide a list of currently oversubscribed postsecondary programs and that investments to date have helped but have not eliminated waitlists.

Why it matters: Lawmakers and CTE officials said shortages in trained faculty and usable facilities limit how many students can be enrolled in programs such as welding, nursing and mechatronics — fields lawmakers identified as key to Idaho employers’ needs. Committee members pressed for specifics about how the governor’s recommended funding would be…