The letter endorses the EARNS Act, which aims to strengthen apprenticeship programs. It argues that apprenticeships provide valuable skills training outside the classroom and help businesses obtain skilled workers. The letter praises how the EARNS Act enhances cooperation among public/private sectors and educational institutions to integrate apprenticeships into postsecondary education and close the gap between available high-skilled jobs and workers. Over 30 state technology associations support the letter's endorsement of the EARNS Act and its goal of expanding apprenticeship opportunities.

1. May 25, 2016
Honorable Orrin Hatch Honorable Patty Murray
104 Hart Office Building 154 Russell Senate Office Building
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, D.C., 20510 Washington, D.C., 20510
Dear Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Murray,
On behalf of CompTIA, TECNA, BSA | The Software Alliance, and the undersigned state technology
associations, I would like to applaud you on the introduction of the EARNS (Effective Apprenticeships
Rebuild National Skills) Act. The need to further develop our domestic pipeline of talent has long
been a priority of both CompTIA and TECNA and this legislation recognizes the importance of
apprenticeships as a means to a better-prepared high skilled workforce. Accordingly, we would like
to offer our full endorsement of the EARNS Act.
Apprenticeship programs provide an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, in a field that
requires a high level of skill, while beginning to earn a wage. In addition, apprenticeship programs
can help the employer obtain the skills they need from workers while helping the employee smoothly
transition their newly learned skills into a full time job. The Department of Labor also has
compelling evidence that apprenticeships can increase one’s earning potential significantly.
The importance of these programs cannot be stressed enough as limited high-skilled talent is an
ongoing concern. In our current ecosystem, there are more jobs that require these skills then there
are workers to fill them. In order to close the gap, there must be cooperation among the stakeholders.
The EARNS act does just that by enhancing cooperation between the public and private sector as well
as educational institutions. In addition to enhanced cooperation with educational institutions, the
EARNS act will help to integrate apprenticeship programs into postsecondary education, allowing
students to maximize their benefit from these programs.
Again, we would like to offer our support for the EARNS Act and the valuable programs it will
provide to members of the workforce across the country. We look forward to working with you and
your staff as this bill moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Hyman, Executive Vice President
CompTIA
Arizona Technology Council (AZTC)
Austin Technology Council (ATC)
California Technology Council (CTC)
Colorado Technology Association
CONNECT
Connecticut Technology Council (CTC)

2. Idaho Tech Council (ITC)
Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
KC Tech Council
Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC)
Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
Nashville Technology Council
New Hampshire High Tech Council (NHHTC)
New Jersey Tech Council (NJTC)
New York Technology Council (NYTECH)
North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA)
OHTech
Orange County Technology Alliance
Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
Technology Association of Iowa
Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky (TALK)
Technology Association of Oregon (TAO)
Tech Titans
Utah Technology Council
Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA)
Wisconsin Technology Council
About BSA | The Software Alliance
BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry
before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most
innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life.
With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries around the world,
BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies
that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy. BSA’s members include:
Adobe, ANSYS, Apple, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, CA Technologies, CNC/Mastercam, DataStax, Dell,
IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Minitab, Oracle, salesforce.com, SAS Institute, Siemens PLM Software, Splunk,
Symantec, Tekla, The MathWorks, Trend Micro and Workday.
About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the information
technology industry. With approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training
partners and nearly 2 million IT certifications issued, CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry
growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional
certifications and public policy advocacy.
About TECNA
"The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) serves as the voice for the North American
technology community. TECNA’s members represent over 22,000 technology-related companies
throughout North America. TECNA brings value to state and regional technology organizations in
their effort to foster collaboration, innovation and the exchange of ideas within the fast paced and
quick changing world of technology."