The Obama Administration is committed to workforce development programs that help prepare America’s workforce for in-demand jobs, including the expansion of apprenticeship programs. To that end, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Switzerland’s Vice President and Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann yesterday signed a joint declaration that will provide a framework for our two countries to cooperate in such areas as work-based training, curriculum development, credential recognition, pathways to career development, and the expansion of programs into new industry sectors. The agreement is between the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Education and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of the Swiss Confederation.

In conjunction with the signing, a number of Swiss companies announced plans to expand or create new apprenticeship programs in the United States. Many of these firms will partner with local community colleges in the U.S. to provide the classroom portion of the apprenticeships.

These commitments were made by major companies such Nestle, which agreed to formalize and accelerate its existing apprenticeship program in as many of its 25 U.S. manufacturing facilities as possible. Zurich Insurance Group, which provides property, liability, automobile, umbrella, and workers’ compensation policies to the construction, financial, energy, health care, manufacturing, real estate and technology sectors, is also exploring a U.S. apprenticeship program. Zurich has been in consultation with Harper College, located in suburban Chicago, to explore the establishment of a workforce development program in coordination with other local insurance companies.

A full list of the companies that have committed to continuing, expanding, or implementing apprenticeship programs in the United States is available here http://1.usa.gov/1Tq99fW

Yesterday’s signing with Switzerland comes just one month after a similar signing with Germany on the topics of apprenticeships and career and technical education. These bilateral agreements underscore the Administration’s commitment to ensuring that American workers have the skills they need to compete and succeed in the global economy.