U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin recently signed a memorandum of understanding to expand apprenticeships among Swiss companies and Swiss-invested companies in the U.S.
The signing took place during National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 15-21, a press release from the U.S. Department of Labor said. The week allows leaders to celebrate apprenticeships across multiple industries.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding reinforces the strong bilateral relationship between Switzerland and the United States and recognizes the added-value of Swiss-style apprenticeships in the U.S.,” Parmelin said in the release. “Apprenticeships benefit our economies and societies, ensure a talent pool of skilled workers, and can positively influence a company’s innovation capabilities and productivity. I am very pleased that Switzerland’s apprenticeship model continues to serve as inspiration for other companies in the U.S.”
Swiss companies directly support more than 500,000 American jobs with an average salary of $101,800, the release said.
“Registered apprenticeships are a proven learn-while-you-earn model and path to good-paying, middle-class jobs,” Walsh said in the release. “Swiss-owned businesses have long demonstrated the value of this approach and with greater engagement with Switzerland and other partners we can increase foreign investment in the U.S. and expand opportunities for American workers.”
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said apprenticeships are a boon for students seeking rewarding employment after graduation.
“I’m proud that the Department of Education and our partners across the Biden Administration are committed to ensuring that all Americans, especially those in historically underserved and marginalized communities, have the right skills to reemerge from the pandemic stronger than ever,” Cardona said in the release. “The $122 billion American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund gives America's high school students a path to rewarding and high-paying careers through work-based learning and career and technical education, and this partnership will allow more students to benefit from these opportunities.”
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said the memorandum will focus on growing apprenticeships in both countries.
“The Department of Commerce deeply values our critical partnership with the Swiss government as memorialized through the signing of this memorandum,” Graves said in the release. “Swiss investment and apprenticeships have contributed to communities across the country, creating new pathways for Americans to gain skills and enter quality jobs. Today’s new agreement sets the stage for increased exchanges on how to expand and diversify apprenticeships. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate our bilateral partnership or National Apprenticeship Week.”
