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Recognizing April 29 - May 2, 2025, as National Apprenticeship Week in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, National Apprenticeship Week increases awareness of the vital role apprenticeships provide in creating opportunities by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and preparing a pathway to good, quality jobs and well-paying careers in Philadelphia and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, Apprenticeship programs enable employers to develop and train their future workforce while offering career seekers affordable paths to secure high-paying jobs; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia recognizes the role of apprenticeships in expanding opportunities in our workforce that are inclusive of individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality, thus providing a path for all qualified individuals, including women, youth, people of color, rural communities, justice-involved individuals and individuals with disabilities, to become apprentices and contribute to America’s industries; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia recognizes that apprenticeship programs, a proven and industry-driven training model, is a key strategy to improving job quality, and creating access to good-paying, family-sustaining jobs for all, starting with youth and young adults, while addressing some of our nation’s pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing our cybersecurity response, and responding to care economy issues; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, is a federation of over 100 local labor unions representing 150,000 working people in the building and construction trades, public sector, private industry. The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO fights for social and economic justice for working people to ensure they have a voice on the job, in politics, and in the community; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO believes standing together with co-workers in a union makes a tangible difference you can feel everyday. Workers in labor unions make 18% more in wages than our nonunion counterparts. Union members work in safer workplaces and have more job security especially in moments of economic crisis. Life is better in a union.
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO would like to formally recognize the following partners who formed the National Apprenticeship Week Host Committee: Eiding Community Labor Coalition, Philadelphia Building Trades, Philadelphia Area Labor Management Committee, IUPAT DC 21/ Finishing Trades Institute, IBEW Local 98, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, Steamfitters Local 420, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1, EAS Carpenters, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Local 3, Sam Staten Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Everybody Builds, PhilaPOSH, Senator Nikil Saval, Philadelphia Academies Inc., Philadelphia Works, Apprenticeship PHL, PA Careerlink, We Love Philly, United Way Greater Philadelphia Southern New Jersey, PA Youth Vote, the National Association of Women in Construction, GEM Mechanical Services, Turner Construction Co., General Building Contractors Association, and Mercy Career and Technical High School; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes April 28 through May 2, 2025, as National Apprenticeship Week.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this Resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.
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