On the recordNovember 15, 2023
Madam Speaker, this week marks the ninth annual National Apprenticeship Week, a time when we can give our Nation's workforce development programs their annual physical. Right now, there are more than 6 million Americans who are unemployed and more than 9 million job openings in our country. That is a real problem, Madam Speaker, and it is because the education-to-work pipeline is clearly fractured. I have said time and time again that we need to promote workforce development programs that actually work. Let employers be the ones to lead the way on this front. Let free market solutions lead the way, as well. Madam Speaker, earn-and-learn programs offer workers a viable path to pursue the American Dream on their own terms. We should do everything we can to support them. ____________________
