Recognizing November 15 through November 21, 2021 as National Apprenticeship Week and honoring ApprenticeshipPHL for its continued commitment to connecting Philadelphians to family-supporting careers.

WHEREAS, As described by the Department of Labor, “National Apprenticeship Week was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to celebrate the impact apprenticeships have in helping Americans learn skills for jobs in growing industries”; and

WHEREAS, ApprenticeshipPHL partners with local manufacturing, biomedical, building trades, healthcare and human services, and information technology companies to increase opportunity and wages for apprentices; and

WHEREAS, ApprenticeshipPHL partners with Philadelphia Works, Bucks County Office of Workforce and Economic Development, Chester County Workforce Development Board, Delaware County Workforce Development Board, Montgomery County Workforce Development Board, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, PA Apprenticeship & Training Office, JEVS Human Services, The City of Philadelphia, Aon, Accenture, Community College of Philadelphia, District 1199c Training and Upgrading Fund, Educational Data Systems, Inc., The Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Keystone Development Partnership, Launch of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Youth Network, Progress Worx, The School District of Philadelphia, Urban Technology Project, & The Wistar Institute; and

WHEREAS, Apprentices make an average starting salary of $72,000 a year, roughly $30,000 above the average salary in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Workers who trained as apprentices earn on average $300,000 more over their careers; and

WHEREAS, There are over half a million apprenticeship opportunities in thousands of different occupations nationwide, allowing career seekers to draw on a wide variety of skills; and

WHEREAS, 150,000 companies nationwide participate in apprenticeships; and

WHEREAS, 91% of apprenticeship grads stay with their company; and

WHEREAS, Companies that invest in apprenticeships see a return on investment of about $1.50; and

WHEREAS, Union apprenticeship programs help workers gain access to skilled trades and union membership, leading to higher wages, better benefits, safer workplaces, and career-long training and development; and

WHEREAS, The Families Achieving Success Together Foundation has partnered with AFSCME Local 1739, District 1199c Training and Upgrading Fund, Hilco Development Partners Inc., Laborers District Council of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania State Representative Joseph C. Hohenstein, and the School District of Philadelphia to host National Apprenticeship week events to expand apprenticeship opportunities; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Labor states that Apprenticeships “Enable employers to fill open jobs, improve productivity and profitability, and reduce turnover while providing the American workforce with pathways to start new careers and acquire the skills needed for good jobs”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes November 15 through November 21, 2021 as National Apprenticeship Week and honors ApprenticeshipPHL for its continued commitment to connecting Philadelphians to family-supporting careers.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to ApprenticeshipPHL, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.

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