[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,

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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