U.S. and Swiss Governments Renew Apprenticeship Commitment

On December 3, the U.S. and Swiss governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding renewing and strengthening a commitment on apprenticeships. The Swiss Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Amman, Minister of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, recognized the partnership at an evening event at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador to the U.S. Other speakers included Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross; Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos; Sen.Tim Kaine (D-VA), a co-chair of the Senate CTE Caucus; Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH); and Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA).

Swiss Ambassador Martin Dahinden and U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen, Jr. rounded off the speakers list during an evening program in Washington. Both diplomats noted the importance of the partnership between the two nations and the importance of the collaboration on apprenticeship.

Several speakers noted that despite Switzerland's small size, the nation exports an significant amount of products to the U.S. and other nations. More importantly related to apprenticeship, many Swiss companies in the U.S. have initiated and extended apprenticeships to U.S. students, and are participating in open dialogue to support the U.S. government and U.S.-based industries interested in replicating the Swiss apprenticeship model or portions of it.

Ambassador Dahinden spoke at a general session during ACTE's CareerTech VISION in San Antonio the week prior, and has hosted ACTE members at his residence after Embassy programs on apprenticeship.

This post was authored by ACTE Deputy Executive Director Steve DeWitt.

Comments

[Edward Stephens]

This is great news ....Thanks ...Hope more updates are coming during ACTE Meetings in March...