Departments of Labor, Commerce, Education renew memorandum of understanding with Switzerland to expand Registered Apprenticeship in US

WASHINGTON – The U.S. and Swiss governments have renewed a memorandum of understanding to expand and strengthen quality apprenticeships and pathways to good jobs, including Registered Apprenticeships, among Swiss companies and Swiss-invested companies in the U.S.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and Swiss Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin signed the MOU, which updates and renews a 2021 agreement signed by the two countries. The memorandum follows another U.S.-Swiss MOU, signed recently to facilitate apprentices moving between the countries for training.

The department’s Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training José Javier Rodríguez, Commerce’s Assistant Secretary for Global Markets Arun Venkataraman, Education’s Deputy Undersecretary for Postsecondary Education Jennifer Mishory and Councillor Parmelin offered remarks at a signing ceremony on Oct. 23, 2024, at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence in Washington. 

“We renewed the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Switzerland, affirming our commitment to increase Registered Apprenticeship opportunities and expand access to the training and career preparation to help connect people to good jobs with family-sustaining wages,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “This signing supports the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda by helping to rebuild the middle class, meet the labor needs of the U.S. workforce and ensure all communities can benefit from the good jobs being created.”

Specifically, the MOU will promote the exchange of ideas and best practices for expanding apprenticeship programs in both countries. 

“Giving more students access to an education that includes skills training, work-based learning, and pathways to rewarding careers helps open doors of opportunity and grows our economy at the same time,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “I’m proud that the Department of Education and our partners across the Biden-Harris administration have renewed a memorandum of understanding that recognizes the value of quality Registered Apprenticeships as well as a strong global partnership that strengthens career pathways in both countries.”

“The Department of Commerce values our strong bilateral partnership with the Swiss government,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Swiss investments are creating opportunities through apprenticeships in communities across the United States, helping Americans gain skills and secure good jobs across multiple industries. This Memorandum of Understanding sets the stage for even more investment in the U.S., building diverse, skilled workforces through Registered Apprenticeships to meet the demands of the future.”

“Switzerland and the United States share many core values, particularly a commitment to quality education and economic prosperity. Apprenticeship is the embodiment of both,” said Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research. “Training a workforce equipped with the skills needed to thrive in today's evolving industries is a challenge for both Switzerland and the U.S. Through this collaboration, we can address this challenge together, aligning our efforts with the needs of our economies and industries.”

Learn more about Registered Apprenticeship.