Washington, DC—Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for the bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act of 2020. This legislation reauthorizes the National Apprenticeship Act for the first time since its enactment in 1937 and would create nearly 1 million additional apprenticeship opportunities. Registered Apprenticeships – which provide apprentices with paid, on-the-job training – are the country’s most successful federal workforce training program.
Expanding access to apprenticeship opportunities will connect Wisconsin workers with stable, good-paying jobs and accelerate our economic recovery. According to the Department of Labor, 94% of people who complete Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) are employed upon completion and earn an average starting wage of more than $70,000 annually. Additionally, this legislation would yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to U.S. taxpayers in the form of increased tax revenue and decreased spending on public-assistance programs and unemployment insurance.
“Throughout Wisconsin, I often hear from folks about the importance of hands-on training, and the leg up it gives as they apply for jobs and enter the workforce,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “Expanding access to apprenticeships will give people the tools and expertise they need to find good-paying jobs right here in Wisconsin. As our nation continues to face serious economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m proud to vote for bipartisan legislation that invests in our greatest resource – our workers – to help Wisconsin build back stronger than ever.”
The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 would expand apprenticeship opportunities by codifying and streamlining standards for Registered Apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs to make it easier for apprentices and employers to participate in high-quality apprenticeships; codifying the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship; and establishing a grant program to support the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships and youth apprenticeships.
