HR 9011

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution designating March 12, 2009, as
3	"Apprenticeship Day 2009" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, the apprenticeship method of on-the-job training
6	and related classroom instruction is found worldwide and has
7	consistently been proven to be an effective, efficient, and
8	economical way to pass on trade and craft skills and knowledge
9	needed by the builders of a nation's economy, and
10	WHEREAS, since being incorporated into state law 62 years
11	ago, Florida's apprenticeship program has taught tens of
12	thousands of students critical, industry-identified skills and
13	knowledge necessary for apprentices to take their place as
14	sought-after, skilled craftpersons, creating a diversification
15	that helps keep the state's economy growing by being built upon
16	enduring strengths, and
17	WHEREAS, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that
18	apprenticeship completers consistently earn higher salaries than
19	students earning college degrees through the baccalaureate
20	level, that apprentices are likely to remain in the high-skill,
21	high-wage fields in which they received their training, and that
22	they have extremely low rates of public assistance, and
23	WHEREAS, Florida's current registered apprenticeship
24	program has 248 active apprenticeship programs throughout the
25	state training 14,599 apprentices, Florida consistently ranks in
26	the top 10 percent nationally in the number of apprentices
27	served; and Florida's registered apprenticeship system welcomes
28	all apprentices 16 years of age or older without regard to
29	gender or ethnicity, and
30	WHEREAS, Florida's registered apprenticeship system
31	guarantees the availability of a quality workforce trained to
32	the exacting standards of the state's trades, while at the same
33	time improving the training standards of business and industry,
34	and it is on these strengths of a diversified workforce that
35	Florida's economy will flourish and maintain its competitive
36	edge nationally and internationally, and
37	WHEREAS, it is commonly known that the effectiveness and
38	uniqueness of Florida's registered apprenticeship program is in
39	part due to the unique cooperation and strong partnerships
40	forged among the business and industry sectors, the educational
41	community, apprenticeship program sponsors, and dedicated
42	students who are highly motivated to learn, and
43	WHEREAS, registered apprenticeship programs are an
44	essential part of our education system and such programs are a
45	critical component in the development and delivery of high-
46	caliber, skilled craftspeople needed to continue the growth that
47	has been Florida's hallmark, NOW, THEREFORE,
48
49	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
50	Florida:
51
52	That March 12, 2009, is designated as "Apprenticeship Day
53	2009" in Florida.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.