Welcome to the History Blog featuring the connections between Switzerland and the Midwest. I am Joerg Oberschmied, Deputy Consul General in Chicago. My interest in history started at an early age and continues to this day. The views expressed are solely mine and I hope you enjoy these journeys through time.
Patrick Bolt manages the Bühler Apprentice Academy in Minneapolis. He started his career at Bühler as a CNC Machinist Apprentice in the company’s Headquarter in Uzwil, Switzerland. He worked in manufacturing for one year after the program and then joined the company’s Apprenticeship Academy as a trainer for CNC manufacturing. He trained Apprentices and other Trainers in Switzerland, the United States, China and India and served as an Exam Board member for the Canton of St. Gallen. In August 2020 he joined Bühler in Minneapolis to manage their local Apprenticeship Program.
Joerg Oberschmied: You grew up in Switzerland and completed an apprenticeship. Tell us about it.:
Patrick Bolt: I grew up near Bühler’s headquarters in Switzerland, where their apprenticeship program is renowned as one of the best in the country. It came highly recommended by my teachers at school, and my father – who happened to be one of Bühler’s customers – also spoke highly of the company. His recommendation only reinforced my interest in pursuing a career at Bühler. In 2007, I began my apprenticeship at Bühler as a CNC-Machinist, and it turned out to be an incredible opportunity that spanned over 4 years. During that time, I had the opportunity to work in various departments within the company, which provided me with valuable exposure to different aspects of the business. One of the highlights in my apprenticeship was when I was selected to work for Bühler in China for a period of 2 months. This experience broadened my horizons and ignited a desire within me to potentially pursue a career with the company in a different country someday. Overall, my time at Bühler as an apprentice laid a solid foundation for my professional growth and instilled in me a deep appreciation for the company’s values and global opportunities.
JO: Aside from your parents, which Person had the greatest influence on your development in Switzerland?
PB: The individuals who had the greatest impact on my personal and professional growth were undoubtedly my closest friends and the coworkers in the apprenticeship academy in Switzerland. Their presence and support played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. Moreover, I was fortunate to have multiple exceptional mentors within our department who imparted invaluable skills that have been instrumental in my personal and professional journey. I am truly grateful for their guidance, as it has contributed significantly to my current success and development as an individual.
JO: What brought you to America and in particular, to Minnesota?
PB: After working as an Apprentice Trainer for CNC-Machinists for over 7 years, I felt ready to take on a new challenge at Bühler. I was deeply passionate about my job and had an emotional attachment to the apprenticeship academy, making it difficult for me to consider leaving the department. However, luck was on my side when I discovered that Bühler in Minneapolis was in search of a new trainer for their Apprenticeship Academy. This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Having spent 3 months at Bühler Minneapolis back in 2014, I was already familiar with the location, the facility, and many of the people there. This familiarity made my decision to apply for the position much easier. Although I didn’t have the freedom to choose my location within the US, I found solace in the fact that Minneapolis is a stunning place to live. Despite the challenges of its winters, the beauty of Minnesota’s summers makes up for it.
JO: What is the ”Bühler Apprenticeship Academy” and how does it benefit employer and employee?
PB: We currently have 16 apprentices, and our team consists of two trainers. We provide two “Earn while you learn” apprenticeship programs: Mechatronics Technician and Business apprenticeship. Both programs are based on the European Apprenticeship Dual Education system. Our apprentices spend two days per week in college to gain theoretical knowledge and three days per week at Bühler, where they acquire hands-on skills. The apprenticeship offers our participants the opportunity to explore various areas of Mechatronics and Business within the company. This allows them to build their professional network and kickstart their careers. Throughout the program, all costs such as college tuition, equipment, work clothes, and books are covered by the company. Additionally, apprentices receive full-time wages and benefits while working or attending school. Upon completion of the program, apprentices receive an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science, a Journeyworker Card from the Department of Labor of Minnesota, and an Apprenticeship Degree from the German-American Chamber of Commerce. In summary, our apprenticeship program serves as a career pathway for our apprentices, while also functioning as a personal development program for the future of our company.
JO: What are the main differences between working in your field in Europe and in the US?
PB: Apprenticeship programs have a deep-rooted presence in Swiss culture and enjoy a significantly higher level of popularity. In fact, they are the preferred route to a professional career for 70% of young individuals in Switzerland following their completion of high school. Conversely, in American culture, pursuing a four-year degree is typically viewed as the more desirable pathway. Consequently, recruitment efforts at the Minneapolis academy require a considerably greater amount of investment compared to Switzerland. At Bühler, we uphold European apprenticeship standards, which means our program goes beyond attendance hours and focuses on the development of competencies. Our apprentices are thoroughly assessed in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to successfully complete the program. As a result, our programs at Bühler Minneapolis closely resemble those in Europe, setting them apart from the average apprenticeship programs in the United States.
JO: What do you see as the greatest challenges ahead for apprenticeships in America?
PB: Convincing individuals to consider apprenticeships as a practical and advantageous option for building a successful professional career, while acquiring extensive technical expertise, will be a significant hurdle in America. We are actively dedicating our efforts to address this challenge and ensure that a four-year degree is not always perceived as the exclusive or ideal pathway.
JO: What do you value the most about Switzerland and what do you value most about the United States?
PB: Switzerland is a stunning place to live, and I truly miss it. One aspect that I always appreciated was the country’s compactness, which made traveling and exploring different cultures incredibly convenient within a short distance. On the other hand, one of the aspects I highly value in the United States is the incredible variety it offers. You can experience everything from beautiful beaches to vast deserts and majestic mountains, all without leaving the country.
JO: What advice would you give a young person starting out today and wishing to enter an apprenticeship?
PB: There are several styles of apprenticeships offered in the market. I would highly recommend seeking out one that is registered with the state. These types of apprenticeships typically involve earning a degree at a college while simultaneously being employed by a company. Additionally, I suggest looking for a program that is competency-based, as we strongly believe at Bühler that the skills of apprentices should be evaluated by the end of the program. For those who are embarking on an apprenticeship, I would like to share the following advice: Be curious, take risks, be ambitious, and take ownership.
JO: Patrick Bolt, thank you for taking the time to share these stories with our readers.
You can find additional information about Bühler on their website; and learn more about the Bühler Group Apprenticeship Program here.
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