Whereas a highly skilled workforce is necessary to facilitate upward mobility, increase standards of living, create high-wage jobs, compete in the global economy, and support economic growth; Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system established by the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 ( 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known as the Fitzgerald Act ), which has existed for over 80 years— (1) in 2016, enabled 21,000 registered apprenticeship programs to offer registered apprenticeship training to approximately 505,000 apprentices; (2) creates career pathways to high-quality careers for working people in the United States; (3) offers a combination of academic and technical instruction and paid on-the-job experience; (4) provides working people with portable, nationally recognized, industry credentials that lead to higher earning careers; and (5) develops a highly skilled workforce; Whereas registered apprenticeships— (1) are increasingly innovative and diverse in their design, their collaboration with local community partnerships, and their use of emerging educational and training concepts including competency-based learning; (2) will continue to evolve to meet the emerging demands of a 21st century workforce; (3) are critical elements of an effective workforce development system and help individuals attain a recognized postsecondary credential, contributing to their personal economic sustainability; and (4) maintain high-quality standards for apprentices; Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system can provide education and training for apprentices in— (1) high-growth sectors, including information technology, financial services, advanced manufacturing, and health care; and (2) traditional industries including the building trades