Developing the skills necessary for our country’s future is very important and while I think this program needs some adjustments to best meet those goals, I will leave that aside for the moment. I do not believe that this program should be solely managed by employers as the skills our country will need can often be broader than the needs of one particular employer. There should be some structure to assure that the broader skills are not ignored.

Why did it go away in the first place? Oh yes colleges and loan agencies lend money, apprenticeships earn money. There is why the government dropped it. I took an apprenticeship 45 years ago. No regrets at all, best move I ever made. Now retired with a great income. I see a comment that a large percentage of apprentices do not complete the program. That may be true, but 6 out of 10 college students do not complete college. That is 40% fail to complete. That tells me primary education is at fault. Nothing to strive for when you are just taught the test. Using no initiative on your own to expand in learning. Even primary school needs to allow students to excel lit learn failure early so they can change. Most parents are to busy working jobs to really care what their kids are doing in school. They know our system will socially pass them along. All this until they hit the real world, whether you pay for your education ir take on an apprenticeship. They never had to buckle down and really pass a test. There is the failures. But you that complain about apprenticeships must have stock in college loans.

I don’t know anything about this program. But it sounds like a really good thing. Which means that McConnell and the Republicans will probably end it.

A skilled labor force is necessary for economic growth so the simple answer is necessary BUT a decent leadership must look ahead to the trends and fund that will help our economy move seamlessly into the future. Support the apprentice training programs that will help our economy thrive.

Yes, I see that big business is “concerned” that the skills being taught would not meet their needs. This is why corporations could be brought in in an advisory capacity with regard to curriculum. The skills being taught need to expand to include all job levels. Education, I’m always for education!

Apprenticeship programs are an important job and career readiness option, especially in the current environment where many people may no longer be able to afford — or want to attend — traditional postsecondary education, or may need retraining in new industries after a job loss. Supporting and expanding the existing apprenticeship program at the Dept. of Labor is the easiest way for Congress to expand the availability of apprenticeships across the United States. SneakyPete. 👋👏👍👍👏👋 11.19.20

I think any way that we can encourage businesses to expand apprenticeship opportunities is a good idea. We are going to have a massive labor shortage in the skilled trades in the next decade, and Congress and the administration should do as much as possible to funnel people into these careers if appropriate. Businesses rarely take initiative on their own unless they want to take advantage of workers, so the government should provide motivation.

This is the best way to extol the value of genuine “Manual-Trade Labor”-skilled workers. To bring more parity to the constant promotion of ‘college education’, as preferred model to pursue.

The Us needs this program. Yes to all education and a path to get there

Everyone doesn’t want or need to go to college. There are many very technical jobs that are constantly in short demand

@davidf wrote: "Apprenticeships lead to good-paying jobs. That would be enough for my Republican Representative to vote against it, although he said otherwise I[n] his campaign and will do so again in his district." It’s the same old story, davidf, for any position you want to be enacted, you need to exert POLITICAL PRESSURE. To exert political pressure you need RESOURCES. 1. In any given District, you need a Committed Local Voting Block of Significant Size. 2. Articulate & credible spokespersons. 3. Articulate Press Release Writers. 4. A long term Voter Education Program. 5. Money for Lobbying. Personal connections willing to help in any way can be priceless. You'd best join up with one or more groups committed to an at minimum a generally Progressive Agenda that includes your agenda item. These groups must support an electable candidate likely able to defeat that useless Republican. Winning one Member of the House will not be enough. At the Federal level the President, House and the Senate must be turned some Shade of Blue. If you work in a unionized job, try to get active. It may not be easy to get in and may take a while. Once in you may not like the reality of what goes on; that's not the point. The point there is much be learned from the political process on the ground.

We need skilled workers in many of the trades. The best education for them could be an apprenticeship program.

It should never have been cancelled!

It’s an inexpensive way to get qualified men/women into good paying jobs

A mind is a terrible thing to waste Another sound familiar??