[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 13, 1992]
[Pages 763-764]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Legislation on Youth 
Apprenticeship

May 13, 1992
To the Congress of the United States:
    I am pleased to transmit herewith for your immediate consideration 
the ``National Youth Apprenticeship Act of 1992.'' Also transmitted is a 
section-by-section analysis.
    This legislation would establish a national framework for 
implementing comprehensive youth apprenticeship programs. These programs 
would be a high-quality learning alternative for preparing young people 
to be valuable and productive members of the 21st century work force. 
Although this framework has been designed to be comprehensive and 
national in scope, it is also flexible enough to allow States to 
customize the model to economic, demographic, and other local 
conditions.
    I am proposing this legislation in order to

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promote a comprehensive approach for helping our youth make the 
transition from school to the workplace and strive to reach high levels 
of academic achievement. The lack of such an approach is one very 
important reason that a significant proportion of American youth do not 
possess the necessary skills to meet employer requirements for entry 
level positions.
    There is widespread agreement that the time has come to strengthen 
the connection between the academic subjects taught in our schools and 
the demands of the modern, high-technology workplace. Work-based 
learning models have proven to be effective approaches for preparing 
youth at the secondary school level.
    Under my proposal, a student could enter a youth apprenticeship 
program in the 11th or 12th grade. Before reaching these grades, 
students would receive career and academic guidance to prepare them for 
entry into youth apprenticeship programs. Particular programs may end 
with graduation from high school or continue for up to an additional 2 
years of postsecondary education. In addition to the high school 
diploma, all youth apprentices would earn a certificate of competency 
and qualify for a postsecondary program, a registered apprenticeship 
program, or employment.
    A youth apprentice would receive academic instruction, job training, 
and work experience. The program is intended to attract and develop 
high-quality, motivated students. Standards of academic achievement, 
consistent with voluntary, national standards, will apply to all 
academic instruction, including the required instruction in the core 
subjects of English, mathematics, science, history, and geography. 
Students also would be expected to demonstrate mastery of job skills.
    My proposal provides for vigorous involvement at the Federal, State, 
and local levels to ensure the success of the program. It also requires 
that employers, schools, students, and parents promise to work together 
to achieve the program goals. Enactment of my proposal will result in 
national standards applicable to all youth apprenticeship programs. 
Thus, upon completion of the program, the youth apprentice will have a 
portable credential that will be recognized wherever the individuals may 
go to seek employment or pursue further education and training.
    I believe that the time has come for a national, comprehensive 
approach to work-based learning. The bill I am proposing would establish 
a formal process in which business, labor, and education would form 
partnerships to motivate the Nation's young people to stay in school and 
become productive citizens. It will provide American youth the 
opportunity to gain marketable and portable skills while establishing a 
relationship with a prospective employer.
    I urge the Congress to give swift and favorable consideration to the 
National Youth Apprenticeship Act of 1992.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
May 13, 1992.