WHEREAS, apprenticeships in the skilled trades provide a proven pathway to the middle class, and PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training Inc.), a nonprofit arm of the Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare Building Trades Council, is dedicated to expanding access to training opportunities for young people, particularly high school students; and WHEREAS, PACT leaders believe more young people would pursue careers in the trades if they better understood the benefits, and the organization’s mission is to promote educational and workforce opportunities for students, especially those in disadvantaged communities; and
WHEREAS, the organization works to sponsor, encourage, and develop programs that foster education, job readiness, community development and good citizenship while creating clear pathways into the skilled trades; and
WHEREAS, apprenticeship and pre- apprenticeship programs play a crucial role in strengthening the regional workforce, as individuals who complete registered apprenticeships earn a starting salary of over $70,000 annually, while contributing to a more competitive and resilient local economy; and
WHEREAS, the training recognized around the country has evolved into the 14- county ValleyBuild partnership, operating as an ongoing and largely state- funded collaboration between regional building trades and construction councils, regional workforce boards, The Rio s Company, and other partners, and also inspired the specialized ValleyBuild NOW (Non-traditional Occupations for Women) program; and WHEREAS, we recognize the role of such training to expand the skilled workforce and provide opportunities to all communities, including those struggling with issues such as poverty, high unemployment and inequality; and
WHEREAS, National Apprenticeship Week, observed from April 26 to May 2, highlights the importance of registered apprenticeships nationwide, where more than 640,000 active apprentices are currently building careers in high-demand industries, helping expand our economic opportunity.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry P. Dyer, Councilmember Annalisa Perea and the Fresno City Councilmembers hereby recognize National Apprenticeship Week and commend PACT and its partners for their continued commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled workers and strengthening the Central Valley workforce, and hereby declares the week of April 26 through May 2 to be:
“National Apprenticeship Week”
in the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, on this 23
rd day of April 2026.