Chicago Apprentice Network event celebrates growth

More than 200 apprentices from Zurich North America, Aon, Accenture and other employers gathered with business and civic leaders, educators and nonprofits for the Chicago Apprentice Network’s (CAN) spring 2023 networking event at the Pritzker Tech Talent Labs in Chicago.

Hosted by Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), the event included Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education and Managing Partner of Emerson Collective, who praised the network’s achievements, and Omowale Casselle, Director of Pritzker Tech Talent Labs at DPI, who highlighted the greater diversity that apprenticeships bring to the workforce.

Founded in 2017 by Zurich, Aon Corporation and Accenture, the Chicago Apprentice Network convenes companies from across Chicagoland committed to expanding professional advancement through apprenticeship programs, connecting individuals with the education, workplace experience and networking opportunities they need to launch their own careers. Since its inception, the network has expanded to include 100 employers offering over 1,625 apprenticeships in diverse industries and of various designs.

“Our Zurich apprentices have brought immense value to our business and customers over the past seven years,” said Jaime Zinn, Head of Talent Management and Acquisition for Zurich North America, who welcomed attendees at the start of the event. She cited the growth of Zurich’s program — which has tripled in size with apprenticeships in 16 states and 14 business units and functions — as an example of the successful expansion of apprenticeships. “Together, [network members are] fueling innovation, inclusion and excitement in Chicago’s economy,” Zinn said.

Bachelor’s Degree Apprentice Jennifer Brumfield, a Salesforce Product and Operations Specialist for U.S. National Accounts at Zurich North America, and Associate Degree Apprentice Noah Johnson, who works in Administrative Operations Reporting for Claims at Zurich, were interviewed about their experiences as apprentices for a video that is planned for the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, apprenticeship.gov.

Jennifer said that, in addition to providing her with the opportunity to complete her undergraduate degree, she has been inspired to pursue her master’s degree in Human Resources. “I never considered a career in an insurance company,” she said, “but because Zurich is so diverse and welcoming, I can see myself staying and growing with the company.”

Noah is grateful for the chance to get his associate degree while achieving balance during a 40-hour week that consists of work and school. “This opportunity has truly set me on the right path to reach for careers goals I didn’t think were possible before,” he said. “It has also given me chance to get schooling and not go into debt over college.”

In addition to the speaking program, the event included breakout networking sessions, where apprentices heard from the network’s participating employers and alumni of different apprenticeship programs.

The Zurich Apprenticeship Program began forming in 2015 and draws from the company’s roots in Switzerland, where apprenticeships have long been respected pathways to careers. The program helps address what applicants often say is the biggest challenge to completing a college degree — the expense — by combining on-the-job learning with college coursework provided by higher education providers.

Zurich apprentices receive full-time pay, with benefits including paid time off and health insurance, as well as tuition coverage to either earn an associate degree or finish a bachelor’s degree. They are guaranteed a job and promotion at Zurich when they complete either two-year program. There are currently 109 active apprentices at Zurich offices throughout the U.S., working in areas including underwriting services, claims, IT, cyber, crop claims, legal services, human resources and communications. They are based in various Zurich business units ranging from U.S. National Accounts, which serves large global corporate companies, to RCIS (Rural Community Insurance Services), which supports the nation’s farmers.

In addition to helping to replenish the workforce, the Zurich Apprenticeship Program has contributed to greater diversity within the company. Of all of Zurich’s talent channels, the Apprenticeship Program attracts the most diverse talent in terms of backgrounds (race, ethnicity and other facets), experiences and perspectives, says the program’s Executive Sponsor Al Crook, who is Head of HR Business Partners at Zurich North America. Successful apprentices have included veterans of the armed forces, people who want to move from a service sector job to a career, parents returning to the workforce after a hiatus and high school graduates.

Zurich has shared its apprenticeship model with many other companies in the insurance industry and beyond to expand apprenticeship opportunities in corporate America. Zurich is hiring now for the next cohort, which starts in August. Visit zurichna.com/apprentices to learn more.