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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing March 13, 2008, as

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"APPRENTICESHIP Day" and honoring the APPRENTICESHIP

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Program for contributing to a growing and prosperous

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Florida economy.

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     WHEREAS, the APPRENTICESHIP method of on-the-job training

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and related classroom instruction is found worldwide and has

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consistently been proven to be an effective, efficient, and

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economical way to pass on trade and craft skills and knowledge

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needed by the builders of a country's economy, and

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     WHEREAS, since being incorporated into state law 60 years

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ago, Florida's APPRENTICESHIP Program has successfully taught

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multiple tens of thousands of students critical, industry-

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identified skills and knowledge, enabling apprentices to take

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their places as sought-after, skilled craftpersons, a

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diversification that helps keep our economy growing by building

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upon enduring strengths, and

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     WHEREAS, those students who complete the APPRENTICESHIP

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Program consistently earn higher salaries than students earning

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college degrees through the baccalaureate level, and

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     WHEREAS, research shows that Florida's apprentices seldom

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require public assistance and are likely to remain in the high-

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skill, high-wage fields in which they received their training,

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and

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     WHEREAS, Florida's current APPRENTICESHIP Program trains

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15,131 apprentices in 285 programs throughout the state,

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ranking Florida in the top 10 percent nationally in the number

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of apprentices served, and

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     WHEREAS, the registered apprenticeship system guarantees

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the availability of a quality workforce, trained to the

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exacting standards of Florida's trades, while at the same time

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improving the training standards of business and industry, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida's APPRENTICESHIP Program welcomes all

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apprentices 16 years of age and older without regard to gender

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or ethnicity, helping Florida's economy to flourish and

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maintain a competitive edge nationally and internationally

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through its diversified workforce, and

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     WHEREAS, it is commonly known that the effectiveness and

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uniqueness of Florida's registered APPRENTICESHIP Program is

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due, in part, to the unique cooperation and strong partnerships

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forged among the business and industry sectors, the

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apprenticeship program sponsors, the educational community, and

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the dedicated, highly motivated students in apprenticeship

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programs, and

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     WHEREAS, registered APPRENTICESHIP Programs are an

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essential part of our educational system and such programs are

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a critical component in the development and delivery of high-

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caliber and skilled craftspeople needed to continue the growth

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that has been Florida's hallmark, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That March 13, 2008, is recognized by the Florida Senate as

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"APPRENTICESHIP Day" in the state.