The following proclamation is issued by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324

WHEREAS, the National Apprenticeship Act was passed August 16, 1937 thereby establishing the National Registered Apprenticeship system, a comprehensive system of partnering among employers, labor, educational institutions, and federal and state governments to shape skilled training for American workers; and

WHEREAS, The Office of Apprenticeship, USDOL, was created to work jointly with labor and industry for the purpose of promoting and expanding the apprenticeship concept to produce competent, motivated and versatile trades persons to meet the nation’s skilled workforce needs, and

WHEREAS, Registered Apprenticeships offer the well-constructed, thorough, and safety-minded framework and requirements from which our academic and technical instruction with paid on-the-job training is based, resulting in a nationally and industry recognized occupational credential that ensures higher earnings for apprentices and a highly skilled workforce for American businesses; and

WHEREAS, Operating Engineers 324, representing over 14,000 of the highest skilled, most qualified Heavy Equipment Operators, Heavy Equipment Technicians, and Stationary Engineers from throughout the state of Michigan, who proudly keep Michigan running, and

WHEREAS, Operating Engineers 324 offer their apprentices and journeypersons alike rewarding careers and lifetime training in partnership with our signatory contractors, including participation in Registered Apprenticeships, and

NOW, THEREFORE, OPERATING ENGINEERS 324 does hereby proudly support the week of November 8-14, 2020 as

NATIONAL REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP WEEK