Florida Senate - 2009                            (NP)    SR 2106
       
       
       
       By Senator Haridopolos
       
       
       
       
       26-01975-09                                           20092106__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing 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 Senate of the State of Florida:
   50  
   51         That March 12, 2009, is recognized as “Apprenticeship Day
   52  2009” in Florida.