Zurich Insurance Apprenticeship Program
Launch your career in corporate insurance through an apprenticeship
Start your career with the Zurich Apprenticeship Program—a full-time, paid apprenticeship that helps you build skills, earn credentials, and grow without taking on tuition debt.
Whether you’re starting after high school, changing careers, or returning to work, this degree apprenticeship gives you real work experience, college coursework, and a clear path to a long-term role at Zurich.
What is a corporate apprenticeship program?
A corporate apprenticeship is more than an internship. It’s a two-year, full-time paid apprenticeship where you work at Zurich while completing college courses. As a Zurich apprentice, you earn a degree, a U.S. Department of Labor Certificate of Apprenticeship, two years of professional experience, and a promotion with continued full-time employment at completion of the program.
Zurich apprenticeships are two-year journeys.
Apprentices earn a full-time salary and benefits.
Zurich covers tuition and fees toward completion of either an associate or bachelor's degree.
Completion brings guaranteed job placement at Zurich.
The "earn and learn" model explained
The Zurich Apprenticeship Program is built on three simple ideas:
- You Earn: Get full-time pay, benefits, and paid time off—even while attending classes.
- You Learn: Zurich pays your tuition, books, and fees so you can earn a degree with no tuition debt.
- You Work: Build experience from day one on real teams doing meaningful work.
Two pathways to professional growth at Zurich
Choose the apprenticeship track that fits your education and goals:
1. Associate degree Apprenticeship
Designed for individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent and or up to 30 college credits.
- Schedule: About 3.5 days a week working at Zurich and 1.5 days a week in college courses.
- Academics: Earn an associate degree in fields such as business administration, business management, agriculture business, information technology, cyber security, or paralegal through a partner college.
- Support: You’ll have support from apprentice alumni advisors, job coaches, academic advisors, and your manager.
2. Bachelor’s degree Apprenticeship
Designed for individuals who have completed two years of college coursework or already have an associate degree.
- Schedule: About 4 days a week working at Zurich and 1 day a week in college courses.
- Academics: Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting or Business Administration, or a Bachelor of Science in Cyber and Data Security Technology from a partner college.
Growth: Strengthen your professional skills and grow your network while earning your degree.
Explore apprenticeship roles across insurance and business functions and find where your skills fit.
Underwriting
As an underwriting associate apprentice, you’ll help assess business risk, review information, and support smart insurance decisions across industries.
Claims
Claims apprentices build investigation, communication, and problem-solving skills while helping customers recover after a loss.
Cyber and Technology
Technology apprentices help protect systems and data while building skills in a fast-growing field.
Additional Business Functions
You may also find apprenticeship opportunities in different corporate functions, crop claims, legal, and sales.
Associate degree track:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Two-year program commitment
- Dependable and eager to learn
Bachelor’s degree track:
- Completed associate degree or two years of college coursework
- Two-year program commitment
- Drive to keep learning while gaining on-the-job experience
You don’t need insurance experience. We look for:
- Curiosity: Interest in how businesses work
- Communication: Clear speaking and writing
- Resilience: Motivation to balance work and school
- Collaboration: Ability to work well with others
Most apprenticeship program start dates are in January and July. To stay informed about new openings, consider creating a job alert through our careers page, as the list of positions is updated frequently. We begin accepting applications in the fall each year.
Why choose an apprenticeship at Zurich?
Insurance offers stable, in-demand careers where you can build skills and make an impact.
The Zurich Apprenticeship Program is a nationally recognized path into insurance careers. Zurich U.S. launched the first Registered Apprenticeship Program in commercial insurance in 2016, and the U.S. Department of Labor named Zurich an Apprenticeship Ambassador in 2022. At the end of the program, you’ll have:
- Zero Tuition Debt: Earn your degree with tuition covered by Zurich.
- Connections: Learn alongside peers, mentors, and business leaders.
- A Path Forward: Move into a promotion with continued full-time employment with Zurich after the program.
A national leader in apprenticeship
The Zurich Apprenticeship Program became the first of its kind to be certified by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2016. Many honors and milestones have come since. The Department of Labor named a Zurich apprentice alumna to its Apprentice Trailblazer program in 2023 and named Zurich an Apprenticeship Ambassador company in 2022. Zurich’s program received the Pledge to America’s Workers Presidential Award in 2020.
Zurich, Aon and Accenture co-founded the Chicago Apprentice Network in 2017 and were honored with the 2022 Trailblazer Award by The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation. The network regularly hosts events and has taken the network model to other cities where the companies have apprentices.
In Zurich U.S.’s home state, Zurich is a member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board’s Apprenticeship Illinois Committee. Since 2023, 5 Zurich Apprentices have served as Illinois Apprentice Ambassadors, helping to expand apprenticeships geographically and to new industries.
See what others are saying about the Zurich Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship programs provide pathways to good-paying jobs
Growing and evolving apprenticeships
Outpacing college enrollment in the U.S.: Apprenticeship programs
The new-collar workforce
FAQs
Internships are short-term roles for current college students, usually during the summer. A Zurich apprenticeship is a full-time, two-year job with pay, benefits, college coursework, and path to a promotion and continued full-time employment upon completion.
Zurich apprenticeships last two years. Programs typically start in July and January, and you can apply starting in fall of each year.
No. Zurich covers tuition, books, and fees, and you’re paid for both work and class time.
If you’ve completed two years of college or have an associate degree, you may qualify for the Bachelor’s Degree Apprenticeship. If you have fewer credits, the Associate track may be a better fit. Transfer credit decisions are made by the partner college.
No. The Zurich Apprenticeship Program is open to qualified candidates of many backgrounds, including recent grads, career changers, veterans, and people returning to work.
Apprenticeship roles are offered in select Zurich locations across the U.S., including the Schaumburg, IL headquarters and other locations based on business need. Check current job postings for available roles and locations.
Apprentices are full-time employees who receive hourly pay and an annual incentive, depending on role, department, location, and apprenticeship level. Pay details are shared during the hiring process.
Zurich apprentices receive pay, health insurance, paid time off, retirement savings, wellness resources, and career development support.
Search for “Apprentice” roles on the Zurich Careers page, choose the track that fits you, and apply online with your résumé. If selected, you may be invited to interview.
Yes. Apprentices who complete the program are promoted into the next level role at Zurich.
Associate degree Apprentices attend partner colleges, with classes typically offered in-person, hybrid, or online format depending on role and location.
The education provider for Bachelor’s degree Apprentices is University of Arizona Global Campus (fully online).
You must meet the education and employment requirements for your location and track. No insurance experience is required.