Virginia Foxx: “Today I rise to recognize the inaugural observance of National Apprenticeship Week. Across the United States, hundreds…”

“Today I rise to recognize the inaugural observance of National Apprenticeship Week. Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of apprenticeship programs are helping to prepare workers for today's high-skilled, in-demand jobs. For far too long, there has been a discrepancy in what students are learning in the classroom and what employers say they need in the workplace. Apprenticeships are key to narrowing that skills gap because they offer students a low-cost and, in many cases, a no-cost education that arms them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in today's global economy. Apprentices often earn an average starting salary of $50,000 and go on to make $300,000 more than their nonapprenticeship peers over the course of their career. Employers who invest in these work-based learning programs are attracting and retaining highly qualified employees. They are also seeing results in the form of increased productivity and greater innovation. Apprenticeships can change lives, and I look forward to seeing how these valuable programs continue to strengthen America's workforce. ____________________”