III 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 341 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2017 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Collins , Ms. Baldwin , and Mr. Hoeven ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating the week beginning November 13, 2017, as National Apprenticeship Week .

Whereas a highly skilled workforce is necessary to compete in the global economy and to support economic growth; Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system established by the Act of August 16, 1937 ( 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act ) (referred to in this preamble as the national registered apprenticeship system ), which has existed for over 75 years— (1) is an important pathway for workers of the United States; (2) offers a combination of— (A) academic and technical instruction; and (B) paid, on-the-job, training; (3) provides workers of the United States credentials that are nationally recognized and industry-recognized; (4) leads to higher earnings for apprentices; and (5) develops a highly skilled workforce for the United States; Whereas registered apprenticeships— (1) are becoming increasingly innovative and diverse in— (A) design; (B) partnerships; (C) timeframes; and (D) use of emerging educational and training concepts; and (2) will continue to— (A) evolve to meet emerging skill essentials and employer requirements; and (B) maintain high standards for apprentices; Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system provides education and training for apprentices in— (1) high-growth sectors, including— (A) information technology; (B) financial services; (C) advanced manufacturing; and (D) health care; and (2) traditional industries; Whereas, according to the Department of Labor, the national registered apprenticeship system leverages approximately $1,000,000,000 in private investment, which reflects the strong commitment of the sponsors of the national registered apprenticeship system; Whereas an evaluation of registered apprenticeship programs in 10 States conducted by Mathematica Policy Research in 2012 found that— (1) individuals who completed registered apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 more over their careers than individuals who did not participate in registered apprenticeship programs; (2) the estimated social benefits of each registered apprenticeship program (including additional productivity of apprentices and the reduction in governmental expenditures as a result of reduced use of unemployment compensation and public assistance) exceeded the costs of each registered apprenticeship program by more than $49,000; and (3) the tax return on every dollar the Federal Government invested in registered apprenticeship programs was $27; and Whereas celebration of National Apprenticeship Week— (1) honors industries that use the registered apprenticeship model; (2) encourages expansion of the registered apprenticeship model to prepare highly skilled workers of the United States; (3) recognizes the role the national registered apprenticeship system has played in preparing workers of the United States for jobs; and (4) promotes conversation about ways the national registered apprenticeship system can continue to respond to workforce challenges in the 21st century: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate designates the week beginning November 13, 2017, as National Apprenticeship Week .