Sponsored by:
Senator MICHAEL L. TESTA, JR.
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Senator KRISTIN M. CORRADO
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges high schools to include information concerning apprenticeship programs in events and resources provided to help students develop postsecondary plans.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging high schools to include information concerning apprenticeship programs in the events and resources provided to help students develop their postsecondary plans.
Whereas, As high school students approach graduation, it is important for them to explore the numerous opportunities that await them upon completion of their secondary education; and
Whereas, While many students decide to enroll in baccalaureate programs, students also have the option to attend community college or trade school, join the military, pursue volunteer opportunities, look for a job, start their own business, or become an apprentice; and
Whereas, Apprenticeship programs allow employers to develop and prepare members of their future workforce while providing individuals the opportunity to earn income, develop specialized job skills, receive classroom instruction, and be mentored by industry professionals; and
Whereas, Apprenticeship programs also provide affordable pathways to high-paying jobs and careers without the need to incur the amounts of students debt typically associated with enrollment at a college or university; and
Whereas, Career seekers can find apprenticeships in industries such as information technology, finance and business, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and manufacturing; and
Whereas, Demand for workers in various skilled trades remains high while an insufficient number of available workers remains low, resulting in attractive wages and opportunities for those who complete an apprenticeship program; and
Whereas, To help students decide which career pathways are best for them, high schools hold events and provide resources that allow students to better understand their own interests, explore careers that align with those interests, and determine how to acquire the necessary education to enter into those careers; however, these events and resources often favor academic programs while overlooking the viability of apprenticeship programs; and
Whereas, Information concerning apprenticeship programs should be included in these events and resources in order to help students understand the options available to them after graduation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges high
schools across the State to include information concerning apprenticeship
programs in the events and resources provided to help students develop their
postsecondary plans.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of Education, the Secretary of Higher Education, the State Board of Education, the New Jersey School Counselor Association, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges high schools across the State to include information concerning apprenticeship programs in the events and resources provided to help students develop their postsecondary plans. As high school students approach graduation, it is important for them to explore the numerous opportunities that await them upon completion of their secondary education. While many students decide to enroll in baccalaureate programs, students also have the option to attend community college or trade school, join the military, pursue volunteer opportunities, look for a job, start their own business, or become an apprentice. Apprenticeship programs allow employers to develop and prepare members of their future workforce while providing individuals the opportunity to earn income, develop certain job skills, receive classroom instruction, and be mentored by industry professionals. These programs also help provide an affordable pathway to high-paying jobs and careers without incurring the kind of student debt typically associated with enrollment at a college or university. To help students create their postsecondary plans, high schools hold events such as college and career fairs, and provide resources that allow students to better understand their own interests, explore careers that align with those interests, and determine how to acquire the necessary education to enter into those careers. However, these events and resources often favor academic programs while overlooking the viability of apprenticeship programs. By giving students the means to better inform themselves of all their postsecondary choices, our schools can have a role in helping them find successful and rewarding careers after high school.