Smucker Leads Bipartisan effort to Expand Military Apprenticeship Program

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) is working to expand opportunities for active-duty military men and women to learn career skills and occupational training that would assist them in their transition back to civilian life.

Working across the aisle with Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Rep. Smucker offered an amendment to the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would expand eligibility for the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) to include all members of the uniformed services.

"America's military is made up of hardworking men and women who wake up every day to serve others," said Rep. Smucker. "We should be making it easier for them to transition to civilian life with a steady job, and infuse our workforce with leadership skills only the military can provide. But right now, less than half of our nation's military personnel have access to USMAP and the completion rate for those who do enroll is falling at an alarming rate. This amendment will open up USMAP to any member of the uniformed service. I'm glad to work in a bipartisan manner with Reps. Gottheimer and Sinema to introduce this amendment on behalf of our brave men and women seeking training for family-sustaining jobs in their post-military life."

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