[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 201 (Monday, November 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020

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                               speech of

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2020

  Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment.
  The registered apprenticeship system is our nation's most successful 
federal workforce program and has created a pathway for millions of 
Americans to achieve the American Dream since its creation more than 80 
years ago.
  With more than 600,000 apprenticeships nationwide, including more 
than 6,000 in my home state of Colorado, apprenticeships provide 
workers with paid, on-the-job training, and more than 94 percent are 
employed upon completion.
  However, while this time-proven apprenticeship model is successful, 
we can and must do more to expand and equip it to meet the demands of 
our changing workforce.
  The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 would do that by greatly 
expanding upon the apprenticeship system and investing more than $3.5 
billion to create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities 
over the next five years in nontraditional industries.
  And my amendment will ensure that the education sector is included in 
this expansion.
  Across the United States, there is a growing demand for qualified 
teachers. Schools--particularly low income schools--are struggling to 
hire and retain qualified teachers, which further perpetuates a cycle 
of inequality that harms students, teachers, and the public education 
system as a whole.
  Including the education sector in the expansion of the registered 
apprenticeship system would address this crisis and help build a 
pipeline of qualified teachers that are prepared to teach on day one. 
As a product of public schools, I know the lasting impact teachers can 
have on students. Improving American education by investing in our 
teachers should be a top priority.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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