On the recordNovember 13, 2017
As co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I rise in recognition of National Apprenticeship Week. Apprenticeships, Mr. Speaker, provide valuable industry-driven job training for students of all ages, preparing them for careers in high- skilled, high-demand fields. They are a proven workforce development tool that is crucial to meeting the demands of skilled trades, healthcare, and IT businesses, among many others, all of which currently face a significant shortage of qualified workers. Now, this summer, the House passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act with strong bipartisan support, which promotes work-based learning as a key component of CTE programs. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of the Capitol tout the value of apprenticeships. Now, Mr. Speaker, it is so important that we back our words with action by passing the Strengthening CTE Act into law and providing robust funding for apprenticeship programs across the Nation. It is the right thing to do for our young people. It is the right thing to do for our workforce. It is the right thing to do for our Nation. ____________________
