US Secretary of Labor Acosta welcomes Swiss officials to share strategies for supporting a highly skilled workforce

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement on his meeting with Swiss government officials to discuss apprenticeships and workforce development models:

“The Trump administration is drawing from the successful apprenticeship models that many of our neighbors around the world, like Switzerland, have enjoyed,” said Secretary Acosta. “I look forward to continue working with our neighbors as businesses begin to expand quality apprenticeships in the United States. It’s critical American workers have the most up-to-date skills to compete in our global, ever accelerating economy.”

Secretary Acosta met with Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann – head of Switzerland’s Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research – and members of the Swiss delegation.

Thirty Swiss-headquartered companies have committed to expanding apprenticeships at their U.S. sites and subsidiaries. In recent months, Secretary Acosta has also met company leaders and apprentices at Mercuria, Mikron, and Zurich Insurance.

The secretary’s meeting reinforces the White House Office of American Innovation’s commitment to increasing the number of quality apprenticeships, including expansion into high-growth, emerging sectors where apprenticeships have historically been rare.