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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 23, 2017 04:53 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Michael H. Schlossberg |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Manufacturing and Apprentice Grant Program Act |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to create the Manufacturing and Apprenticeship Grant Program Act. This legislation would help train our workforce for high-tech manufacturing jobs that are good-paying and family sustaining. According to the United States Department of Labor, the average starting salary for individuals who complete an apprenticeship is $60,000 per year. Apprenticeship is also a benefit for employers because for every $1 invested, businesses realize an approximate return-on-investment of $1.50. A recently released Central Penn Business Journal Manufacturing Activity Index surveyed manufacturers noted the lack of “skilled labor” and “qualified salespeople” as two of the most important issues affecting their businesses. Additionally, The Conference Board noted in a recent report that across the United States two occupational categories are at great risk for shortage in the coming decade: Health care workers and skilled trade labor. Adding to the urgency, our Commonwealth is currently being forecast to experience a shortage of nearly 170,000 skilled workers by 2020. The risk to our workforce is clear and this legislation would help to stop this potential brain-drain to engage younger workers in in-demand positions. I hope you will join with me by co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1524