    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9824 of November 9, 2018

    National Apprenticeship Week, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    Under my Administration's policies, our Nation's economy is booming and
    Americans have more opportunities than ever before. Men and women from
    all walks of life are moving off the sidelines and into the workforce.
    In this economic context, our country needs workers with world-class
    skills and abilities to fill vacant positions in the labor force. During
    National Apprenticeship Week, we recognize the importance of
    apprenticeships in helping our country's hardworking people develop the
    competencies that enable success in today's dynamic, 21st century
    economy.
    As a lifelong businessman who has hired thousands of workers, I am a
    strong believer in the apprenticeship model, and my Administration is
    committed to expanding apprenticeship opportunities. Apprenticeship
    programs, when implemented effectively, provide workers with an
    opportunity to ``earn and learn''; on the job, and pair workplace
    education with classroom instruction, accelerating the learning process
    for participants and increasing their marketability. Since I took
    office,

    [[Page 5904]]

    American employers have hired over 400,000 apprentices. In 2018 alone,
    we committed $145 million to diversify and scale apprenticeship
    programs, and we provided an additional $150 million in grant
    opportunities to promote apprenticeships in industries where they have
    not traditionally existed, including advanced manufacturing, banking and
    finance, information technology, and healthcare. In addition, as a
    result of our Pledge to America's Workers, in just 3 months, we have
    secured commitments from more than 160 companies and associations to
    provide jobs, education, and workforce development opportunities to 6.4
    million American workers.
    In June of last year, I signed an Executive Order creating the Task
    Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, which focused on identifying
    proposals to cultivate apprenticeships across all sectors of the economy
    and reform ineffective education and workforce development programs. The
    Task Force was composed of representatives from business, the trades,
    labor and industry groups, and educational institutions; each
    participant contributed a unique set of insights and experiences. The
    Task Force helped my Administration map out a strategy for creating new,
    industry-recognized apprenticeship programs that will encourage
    employers and industries to adopt the apprenticeship model.
    In addition to supporting apprenticeships, I am advancing tax and
    regulatory policies that are increasing opportunities for all Americans.
    Last month, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent, its lowest
    point in nearly 50 years, and more Americans are working today than ever
    before in our history. At the same time, right now, there are 7 million
    unfilled jobs in our country. By successfully deploying the
    apprenticeship model, the United States can build a workforce strong
    enough to quickly fill all of those jobs and better compete on the
    global stage. This week, I encourage all participants in our economy,
    from business leaders to government officials to educators, to join in
    our efforts to expand apprenticeship programs. Together, we can build
    and educate our Nation's workforce, securing American economic greatness
    for future generations.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 12 through
    November 18, 2018, as National Apprenticeship Week.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
    November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    third.
    DONALD J. TRUMP