TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas lawmakers are being urged to extend the life of a panel created to help improve technical education programs.

The Senate Education Committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill to keep the Kansas Postsecondary Technical Education Authority in business until July 2017. It's now scheduled to shut down in mid-2014.

Lawmakers established the authority in 2007 to coordinate and enhance technical education programs. It has an annual budget of approximately $680,000.

Leaders of Kansas education groups testified Wednesday the authority has helped improve technical instruction. But they also said more work must be done to improve programs and meet the needs of employers who rely on trained workers.