Learning from Switzerland on Scaling Apprenticeships

The Bay Area Council’s Workforce initiatives are heating up! In June we were honored to join a NorCal delegation to Zurich’s CEMETS Institute along with San Francisco leaders in workforce and apprenticeships, including Council member Aon, a national leader in apprenticeships.  

This trip was an important step in growing the impact of the Northern California Apprenticeship Network (NCAN), which the Council is a founding member of. The delegation joined a cohort of 75 global leaders to align on scaling apprenticeships and vocational education and training to companies and communities who can benefit in Northern California.

We came away with clear next steps, with NCAN delegated as the Bay Area regional hub for apprenticeships. In the months to come, the delegation will begin to deliver on an NCAN 2.0 mission, including a functional stakeholder map and step up our convenings to scale apprenticeships in the Bay Area and beyond.

Key Takeaways from the Trip

• Switzerland’s low unemployment and high economic mobility stems from a permeable dual academic and vocational education and apprenticeship system
• The Swiss system does not prioritize the academic path over vocational experience
• California has some infrastructure and funding for businesses to launch more apprenticeships today, but the process and return on investment (ROI) are unclear to those who can benefit most
• Companies take an active role in closing the skills gap, and benefit greatly from their involvement

Next Steps

• Join our upcoming NCAN event on the Klamath the week of September 15th (Date TBA)
• Join our Workforce of the Future first committee meeting this fall (Date TBA)
• Sign up for NCAN mailing list
• Stay tuned for reports on BAC Economic Institute’s study on ROI of apprenticeship, in partnership with Irvine Foundation

Special thanks to Crankstart Foundation, The Irvine Foundation and SF OEWD’s TechSF and JFF for making this trip a success! To engage in the Council’s Workforce of the Future initiative, please contact Kelly Cure.