Authorizing the committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings on Germany's Dual Vocational System, and to discuss the impacts a German apprenticeship style program would have on the youth of Philadelphia and industry in the area.

WHEREAS, The German Vocational Training Act of 1969 created the dual education system, which partners the German Federal Government, the Federal states, businesses, and the chambers of commerce to create a nationwide certification system; and

WHEREAS, The Dual Vocational System is recognized worldwide due to its combination of theory and training in an everyday work environment, which allows Germany to obtain one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in all of Europe; and

WHEREAS, The German program heavily involves the businesses and industries that have the most to gain from these apprenticeship programs, the vocational trades; and

WHEREAS, The nationwide certification system in Germany allows students to develop their skills in the area of their choice, and that is applicable nationwide, enhancing their chances in the labor market at a young age; and

WHEREAS, It is our belief that we can look towards the German system, in order to improve our own system here in Philadelphia, and encourage students to view the vocational trades of Philadelphia as a career choice, or as a stepping stone towards college; and

WHEREAS, We believe that one of the best ways to invigorate the manufacturing and trades industries of Philadelphia is to reduce the skills gap in the City and produce more local workers for industries; and

WHEREAS, This production of high-quality workers would increase the manufacturing presence in the city, and help attract businesses from outside the City to move here, increasing revenues across the board.

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes hearings to be held on the German Dual Vocational System, and the potential improvements that could be made to the current labor system Philadelphia uses.

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