In response to Florida's Auditory General's recommendation that the Florida Bureau of Apprenticeship (FBA) be terminated, the benefits of apprenticeship were examined. Participation in apprenticeship programs provides social and economic benefits to participants, their communities, the state, and the nation. School-to-work programs, U.S. versions of European apprenticeships, should blend vocational and academic education in high schools, provide students with meaningful work experience, and continue their training after high school. Apprenticeship's economic value is apparent to the program completers and, by extension, to the local, state, and national economies. Opportunities for program participation should be enhanced and expanded, especially for women. minority populations, and adolescents. The elimination of the state service to apprenticeship programs in Florida would result in obstruction of the pursuit of these goals and the net loss of revenue to state and local governments. The Florida Council on Vocational Education makes three recommendations: the FBA should be retained; initiatives by state officials to extend the opportunities of apprenticeship should continue; and the state board should promote additional programs linking school and apprenticeship. (Three tables, an appendix on the benefits of starting apprenticeship while in high school, and 28 references are included.) (NLA)