Earlier this month, PJ McGrew, Conexus Indiana’s Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy and Programming, had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland with the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and Ascend Indiana.
The goal of the trip was to gain firsthand insights into Switzerland’s renowned youth apprenticeship model and to explore how elements of this system could inform Indiana’s own work-based learning initiatives, particularly CEMETS iLab Indiana, which seeks to create a new, employer-led professional pathway in Indiana called the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway.
As Conexus Indiana was recently named the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Talent Association for this exploratory work in Indiana, PJ’s trip was a crucial step in understanding best practices from a country where work-based learning is deeply ingrained in the culture. Over the course of several days, he met with key stakeholders, including industry talent associations, company executives, vocational school leaders and apprentices themselves.
Key Takeaways from Switzerland
One of the most striking observations from the trip was the extent to which apprenticeships are embedded in Swiss culture. Companies across various industries, including manufacturing, IT and healthcare, integrate apprentices into their workforce at an early age, often making up around 10% of their employees.
Unlike the typical U.S. mindset of completing a college degree before entering the workforce, the Swiss model emphasizes lifelong learning and skill development from an earlier age. Students as young as 15- or 16-years old start apprenticeships that align with their interests, and companies are willing to invest significantly to build a skilled workforce for both their direct benefit and the benefit of the Swiss economy at-large.
PJ also engaged in in-depth discussions with Swiss organizations that serve similar roles to Conexus. These included the ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz, which supports IT apprenticeships, and Swissmem, the talent association for the mechanical, electrical, and metal industries. These discussions provided valuable insight into how Swiss talent associations structure and manage apprenticeship pathways, helping to inform how Conexus might shape its approach in Indiana.
Learning from Swiss Companies and Schools
During the trip, the group visited several companies that have successfully implemented apprenticeship programs:
- Accenture Switzerland, where apprentices work 20 hours per week while receiving technical training at a vocational school. The structured approach helps them transition seamlessly from student to full-time employee.
- Kromer Print AG, a mid-sized company where apprentices are trained in multiple occupations, demonstrating a commitment to long-term workforce development.
- CEDES, a global leader in sensor and imaging solutions, has successfully cultivated top-level talent internally through apprenticeships, with former apprentices rising to executive roles.
In addition to company visits, the group toured vocational schools and a university of applied sciences. At BBB Vocational School, students receive hands-on training in 25 different fields, including manufacturing and IT, in a setting similar to U.S. Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers. Meanwhile, at a local university of applied sciences, they learned that 70% of the school’s students begin their careers as apprentices before transitioning to higher education, with significant industry collaboration embedded into the curriculum.
Implications for Indiana’s Apprenticeship Model
Switzerland’s apprenticeship model offers many valuable lessons for Indiana’s workforce development initiatives. Key takeaways include:
- The importance of employer-driven program design, ensuring that occupational needs and competencies are clearly defined.
- The necessity of ongoing employer engagement through structured steering and advisory committees.
Moving forward, Conexus Indiana will incorporate these insights into discussions with the industry steering committee that is guiding the advanced manufacturing-specific development of the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway.
“One of the biggest takeaways from this trip was seeing just how deeply apprenticeships are embedded in Swiss culture—not just as a workforce strategy but as a mindset,” reflected PJ. “Employers view apprenticeships as long-term investments in their talent pipeline, and students see them as a clear, structured path to a fulfilling career. While we may not be able to fully replicate that cultural aspect in Indiana, there is a lot we can learn about employer engagement and program design to make work-based learning more impactful here.”
As Conexus continues its work as the Industry Talent Association for Manufacturing, these insights will play a key role in shaping the future of apprenticeships in Indiana. Learn more.