National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) took place in the United States from April 26 to May 2, 2026, with Switzerland actively engaged in a variety of forums nationwide. Over the course of the week, a diverse range of stakeholders, including employers, apprentices, industry representatives, workforce partners, educational institutions, and government agencies, hosted events and discussions. The events Switzerland was involved in spanned a variety of formats, from panels showcasing Swiss excellence in Indiana to company visits in Oklahoma, to a series of talks in New York City.
These activities fostered direct exchanges between the audience and employers, offering Switzerland the opportunity to showcase the strengths of its apprenticeship model. This cooperative approach stands out as a key success factor of the Swiss vocational education and training system, demonstrating how close collaboration among government, industry, and education can effectively align skills development with labor market needs.
Switzerland also highlighted its commitment to sharing expertise in vocational education and training and to supporting long-term partnerships that connect talent development with industry demands. Through collaboration with state leadership, industry stakeholders, and local organizations, Switzerland contributes to strengthening workforce pathways and promoting apprenticeship opportunities across the United States.
Indianapolis Monday’s program at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis was organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago as part of NAW 2026. The event highlighted Indiana’s role in advancing innovative apprenticeships across the manufacturing, banking, IT, and cybersecurity sectors, with an emphasis on the people and companies driving this transformation. Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, shared remarks during the event and participating companies included Kudelski Group, Endress+Hauser, and REGO-FIX Tool Corporation. The panel discussions, moderated by Claire Fiddian-Green, President and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, also featured apprentices from these companies, who shared their firsthand experiences and perspectives.
Boston On April 28, 2026, Swissnex in Boston and New York co-organized a roundtable with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, focusing on registered apprenticeships and workforce development. Swiss life sciences companies and international pharmaceutical firms with a strong presence in Switzerland, including representatives from Novartis and Roche-Genentech, highlighted their experience with similar programs in other U.S. states. The discussion enabled an open exchange on introducing registered apprenticeships into the life sciences sector in the state of Massachusetts.
New York City Organized by CareerWise USA, a NAW event in New York City brought together education, labor, and government leaders at Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School. The program featured contributions from Brent Parton, CEO and President of CareerWise, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, and New York City officials, and included a student-led tour of the school’s extensive career and technical training programs. Switzerland was represented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York. Set against the backdrop of strong demand for hands-on education and evolving workforce needs, the discussions focused on how best to expand apprenticeship pathways in the United States. Switzerland figured prominently as a reference point, both through its established vocational education model and the role of Swiss companies in supporting local training initiatives.
Oklahoma City On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta partnered with the State of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance to host a program and reception in honor of NAW 2026 titled “Reigniting the American Dream with Swiss-Inspired Apprenticeships.” The event brought together business, policy, and education leaders to discuss how apprenticeship models can strengthen career pathways and improve collaboration between industry and education. Over the course of the day, a Swiss delegation composed of representatives from the Swiss Embassy, the Consulate General in Atlanta, and the Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Oklahoma visited Swiss company Georg Fischer in Shawnee, OK, and the Manufacturing Skills Academy in Oklahoma City. In the evening, opening remarks were delivered by Switzerland’s Consul General Rolf Ott and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Governor Stitt referred to key elements he observed during the National Governors Association’s study trip to Switzerland in October 2025 that he attended, praising how workforce development is fully embedded in Swiss education. Their remarks were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Sharon Harrison, President of Harison Consulting Group INC, featuring representatives from Bühler Group, Georg Fischer, Generation FSH, and the Governor’s Chief Workforce advisor, Mr. Trae Hill. The evening, which ended with remarks by Dr. Daniel Hamlin, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, was attended by 100 guests, mainly composed of industry leaders and focused on practical approaches to implementing successful apprenticeship programs.
Click here to find out more about Swiss engagement in apprenticeships in the United States.
