[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 80987-80988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27759]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 80987]]


                Proclamation 9542 of November 10, 2016

                
National Apprenticeship Week, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                When I took office, our economy was in freefall--
                millions of Americans lost their jobs and paid the 
                price of the worst recession of our time. But with grit 
                and determination, our people fought their way back and 
                began working to rebuild an economy that works for 
                everyone. Although we have added more than 15 million 
                jobs in the last 6 years, too many people are still 
                feeling left behind in our 21st-century economy. And 
                because the jobs of today and tomorrow require more 
                advanced skills and training, apprenticeship programs 
                play an increasingly important role in helping people 
                succeed in the workforce. This week, we celebrate the 
                ways this job-driven training model prepares Americans 
                for meaningful employment, and we resolve to expand 
                access to this essential pathway to opportunity.

                Registered apprenticeships connect job-seekers to 
                better paying jobs that are in high demand, and by 
                providing hands-on experiences and allowing Americans 
                to earn while they learn, they help workers gain the 
                skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in our modern 
                economy. More than 90 percent of apprentices find 
                employment after completing their programs, with 
                graduates earning an average starting salary over 
                $60,000. In addition to benefitting employees, 
                apprenticeship programs also help employers by 
                increasing productivity and innovation with a high 
                return on investment. A variety of industries--from 
                healthcare to construction to information technology 
                and advanced manufacturing--are using apprenticeship 
                programs to meet their workforce needs. To bolster the 
                competitiveness of those industries and others, it is 
                imperative that our Nation continues investing in 
                apprenticeship programs. Across our country, State and 
                local leaders have done just that--in some cases 
                expanding apprenticeships by over 20 percent in their 
                regions. And since 2014, 290 colleges have joined in 
                the effort to offer college credit toward a degree for 
                completing apprenticeship programs.

                My Administration applauds these widespread efforts and 
                remains committed to supporting apprenticeship 
                programs. Two years ago, I announced a goal to double 
                the number of registered apprenticeships, and with 
                125,000 more active apprenticeships today than in 2014, 
                we have seen the largest 3-year increase in nearly a 
                decade. We invested unprecedented levels of Federal 
                funding in apprenticeships, including recently awarding 
                more than $50 million in new grants to States through 
                the ApprenticeshipUSA initiative. This year, we also 
                invested over $20 million to start new apprenticeship 
                programs and help historically underrepresented 
                individuals--including women, minorities, and people 
                with disabilities--access apprenticeship programs. Last 
                year, I signed the first-ever annual Federal funding 
                for apprenticeship programs into law, and I will keep 
                calling on the Congress to continue funding these 
                efforts so that this work is carried forward for years 
                to come. And because those who have served our country 
                in uniform deserve every opportunity to enjoy the 
                American dream they helped defend, we are working to 
                provide assistance to service members and veterans who 
                seek to enter registered apprenticeship programs.

                During National Apprenticeship Week, employers, 
                sponsors, and leaders across our country will host open 
                houses to highlight the significant value

[[Page 80988]]

                of apprenticeships in our economy. Let us encourage 
                more employers to offer--and more workers to take 
                advantage of--these indispensable learning and training 
                opportunities, and together let us continue working to 
                equip the American workforce to meet the demands of an 
                ever changing future so it is filled with prosperity 
                and opportunity for all who are willing to work for it.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 13 through 
                November 19, 2016, as National Apprenticeship Week. I 
                urge the Congress, State and local governments, 
                educational institutions, industry and labor leaders, 
                and all Americans to support apprenticeship programs in 
                the United States and to raise awareness of their 
                contributions to our country.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-27759
Filed 11-15-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P