[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9529-H9530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK AND WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, it is National Apprenticeship Week and 
Women in Apprenticeship Day, and I want to highlight the potential for 
apprenticeships to get people into good-paying jobs.
  When I visit communities across northwest Oregon, I hear from many 
Oregonians who feel left behind and left out of the economic recovery. 
Far too many families are still struggling to make ends meet.
  Their wages are stagnant, and they feel overwhelmed by rising rent 
prices, barriers to transportation, and skyrocketing costs of 
childcare. They can't save for retirement or for their kids to go to 
college. They need access to good-paying jobs so they can support 
themselves and their families.
  Workforce development programs can assist them, particularly 
assisting those who have barriers to employment. Good workforce 
policies can help them access the education, training, credentials, and 
support services they need to secure living-wage jobs. Good workforce 
policies create opportunities for employers to align training with the 
skills they need.
  As we recognize National Apprenticeship Week and Women in 
Apprenticeship Day, we must commit to strengthening apprenticeships and 
work-based learning programs. Investing in these programs will help 
more people access better-paying, stable careers and provide our 
businesses with a workforce that will improve productivity and 
efficiency.
  In the district I represent, the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation 
Center, or OMIC, is bringing together industry leaders like Boeing with 
local colleges, including Portland Community College, Oregon Institute 
of Technology, Oregon State University, and Portland State University, 
to develop a registered apprenticeship program. This collaboration will 
result in growth, innovation, and efficiency in advanced manufacturing 
and a more skilled workforce.
  OMIC is a tremendous opportunity for Oregonians and exactly the kind 
of partnership that brings value to our communities and to our economy. 
I was proud to help secure funding for OMIC through the Economic 
Development Administration, and I look forward to seeing its continued 
growth and the opportunities it will bring to northwest Oregon and our 
region and our future manufacturing workforce.
  Although some employers recognize the importance of recruiting and 
training all working people, across the country, the representation of 
women in the trades remains quite low. In Oregon, we are leading the 
way. Women's participation in registered apprenticeship programs is 
more than double the national average, demonstrating the value of 
organizations like Oregon Tradeswomen, with the mission dedicated to 
promoting success for women in the trades through education, 
leadership, and mentorship.
  We can help increase the presence of programs like Oregon Tradeswomen 
across the country by increasing funding for the Women in 
Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants, and, of course, 
by supporting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
  To help Oregonians and many other Americans who still face job 
insecurity, we must expand work-based learning to industries that lack 
established apprenticeship programs, like healthcare and technology, 
especially in startups.
  Unfortunately, small- and medium-sized businesses often do not have 
the resources to establish work-based learning programs on their own. 
Industry partnerships like those at OMIC solve this challenge by 
bringing together employers, educational institutions, training 
providers, and local organizations to support the creation and 
expansion of work-based learning programs that benefit workers and the 
economy as a whole.
  I have worked with my colleague from Georgia, Congressman Drew 
Ferguson, to introduce the Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional 
Training Networks for Employers' Required Skills, or PARTNERS, Act.
  This bipartisan bill would use existing dollars to invest in industry 
partnerships to help businesses recruit workers, develop training 
curriculums, and provide workers with access to tools, work attire, 
transportation, childcare services, and mentorship support. These 
support services help businesses retain employees and help workers 
balance caring for and providing for

[[Page H9530]]

their families while they are learning new skills.
  The PARTNERS Act and funding for the Workforce Innovation Opportunity 
Act are two pieces of the greater need to invest in apprenticeships and 
other paid on-the-job training programs.
  During National Apprenticeship Week, I stand ready to continue the 
fight for policies that can help more people access better-paying jobs 
and meet the demands of our local employers.

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