Austria Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
At the CTE Senate Caucus on Capitol Hill on November 15, 2022 © ÖB Washington / Strohdorfer
The Embassy of Austria celebrated the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW, November 14-20, 2022) in the U.S. with a series of events organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States and ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA. For this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, the themes of inclusion and “Women in Apprenticeships” in particular were chosen as our major focus. While women make up about half of the workforce in the United States, they represent only 14 % of active apprenticeships in the country. In Austria, on the other hand, female apprentices constitute 32 % of total apprenticeships, and in Switzerland the number is even higher at 48 %. Consequently, the Austrian and Swiss embassies in Washington decided to team up to host a series of workshops and panel discussions that highlight the Austrian and Swiss models and how they operate at Austrian and Swiss subsidaries in the U.S.
Panel discussion © ÖB Washington / Strohdorfer
On November 14, 2022, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA welcomed around 30 company representatives at the Embassy of Austria. In a workshop with education experts, local educators, and industry associations, the opportunities and challenges of apprenticeship programs in the US were discussed. Ample opportunities for networking were also offered at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, DC.
Panel discussion “Women in Apprenticeships” © ÖB Washington / Strohdorfer
The panel discussion with representatives from Austrian companies Egger Wood Products (based in Lexington, NC) and ENGEL Machinery (based in York, PA) as well as Swiss companies Zurich Insurance (based in Schaumburg, IL) and Swiss Krono (based in Barnwell, SC) focused on “Women in Apprenticeships” and brought together industry representatives, U.S. administration officials and policy makers as well as five female apprentices and their mentors at Austrian and Swiss companies in the U.S to discuss their experiences and lessons learned. Insights into the Austrian model were provided by Thomas Mayr, the Managing Director of ibw Austria, an Austrian research institute that studies dual vocational education and training. Special remarks were given by Liechtenstein's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport H.E. Dominique Hasler, followed by a reception at the Residence of the Swiss Ambassador.
Briefing at the CTE Senate Caucaus on Capitol Hill with Senator John Hickenlooper © ÖB Washington / Strohdorfer
The series of events concluded on November 15, 2022, with a briefing on Capitol Hill at the CTE Senate Caucus. Senator John Hickenlooper delivered the keynote address, in which he outlined the steps necessary to build more apprenticeship opportunities for women everywhere. Five young female apprentices from Swiss and Austrian companies in the U.S. also delivered remarks, in which they discussed their motivations, challenges, and personal considerations when deciding to apply for apprenticeships. U.S. congressional staffers and representatives were able to meet with the apprentices and Austrian and Swiss industry representatives and engage with them on a personal level, bringing greater awareness to the topic. These events build on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Austria and the U.S. signed on April 13, 2022 that aims to expand registered apprenticeships among Austrian companies and Austrian-invested companies in the US in order to promote job creation in both countries.
The events were supported financially by ReFocus Austria and go international.