[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2019

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this week, we celebrate the 
fifth year of National Apprenticeship Week, a week dedicated to 
showcasing the impact that apprenticeship programs have on preparing 
Americans for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
  Our Nation has 7 million unfilled jobs. A 2018 survey of U.S. 
employers showed that nearly half of all job creators struggle to hire 
employees with the right skills for the job.
  Apprenticeships offer one of the strongest solutions to closing the 
skills gap and strengthening the American workforce. That is why 
Republicans on the Committee on Education and Labor are committed to 
expanding apprenticeship opportunities nationwide.
  According to the Department of Labor, 94 percent of apprentices 
retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program, and the 
average starting salary after completion is $70,000.
  Apprenticeships help integrate the education system with the 
workforce development system, which allows all students to be better 
prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.

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