U.S. to collaborate on Swiss model for apprenticeships

American and Swiss officials will present details of the Swiss apprenticeship program and U.S.- Swiss planned collaboration to establish a program in the U.S. modeled on that program Thursday, June 25 at 10 a.m.

On July 9, the U.S. and Switzerland will sign a Joint Declaration of Intent to collaborate. Eric Seleznow, Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training in the U.S. Labor Department, Swiss Ambassador Martin Dahinden and alternative education expert Nancy Hoffman will explain the system, which contributes to Switzerland's the lowest youth unemployment of developed countries.

The Swiss vocational education model — a true alternative to college — pays students as they learn. It produces highly skilled, highly regarded, ready-to-work new employees in Switzerland. It prepares a wide cross-section of students for an expansive range of occupations, including information technology, advanced manufacturing and health care, in addition to traditional trades and crafts. Two thirds of students age 16 choose the path of an apprenticeship to start their career. After graduating, they can obtain higher degrees thanks to the high permeability of the Swiss education landscape.

Jill Biden observed the program in Switzerland and drew attention to it last September, making the White House, members of the Congressional bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus and education research institutions aware of the Swiss approach.

Like all Newsmakers events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC members free of charge.