Murray, Cantwell Introduce Senate Resolution Commemorating National Apprenticeship Week, Renew Efforts to Ensure Washington State Workforce Leads in 21st Century Economy

Apprenticeships are critical pathways for students and workers in Washington state and across the country, write Murray and Cantwell in new resolution

Registered apprenticeship programs provide education and training in high-growth industries, such as information tech, financial services, advanced manufacturing, health care, and more 

Read full resolution designating this week National Apprenticeship Week here: LINK 

(Washington, D.C) – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) led 12 Senators in introducing a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. Senate designating the week of November 14, 2016, National Apprenticeship Week.

“I am proud to introduce this resolution that recognizes the importance of strengthening and expanding registered apprenticeship programs,” said Senator Patty Murray. “Apprenticeships help make sure students and workers are prepared to compete for high-skill, high-wage jobs, which is critical to providing more families in my home state of Washington and across the country a ladder of opportunity to reach a stable middle class life.”

“Apprenticeships are an American institution and critical to ensuring workers have the tools and training to learn while they earn. That’s why I have introduced legislation that would create half a million new apprenticeship opportunities across the country, and continue to fight to expand innovative approaches to on-the-job training programs,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “I applaud our apprentices and mentors in Washington state and across the country for their dedication to our economic prosperity. Together, we can increase opportunities for workers to learn new skills while earning good wages.”

A 2012 evaluation of registered apprenticeship programs by Mathematica Policy Research found that the tax return on every public dollar invested in registered apprenticeship programs was $27. It further found that individuals who completed registered apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 more throughout their careers than individuals not participating in such programs.  

Senators joining Murray and Cantwell in introducing resolution designating National Apprenticeship Week: Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Al Franken (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).  

Read the full resolution HERE.

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