Zurich North America today announced a new effort to encourage the creation of apprenticeship programs across the insurance and financial services industries in Chicago. To kick start the initiative, Zurich North America Commercial CEO Mike Foley, Aon President & CEO Greg Case and representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) are bringing together Chicago’s top leaders in insurance and financial services to discuss the path forward in creating apprenticeship programs for Chicago area students.

“Apprenticeship programs represent a win-win opportunity for students and employers,” said Foley. “Students get paid a salary to gain experience from business professionals in established companies, while earning a tuition-free degree, and businesses can gain access to a new pool of talent specifically trained for their needs.”

Zurich, Aon and the DOL will host a breakfast on March 7 in Chicago for CEOs and other senior leaders to build enthusiasm and gain commitment to create programs of their own using the Zurich and Aon models as guides.

“Building a highly-skilled and diverse workforce is important not only for the U.S. economy but to the future of our industry,” said Aon President & CEO Greg Case. “We have a unique opportunity as a Chicago business community to train the best and brightest people in our city, creating a pipeline for the financial services jobs of the future.”

“The apprenticeship model works and that is why President Obama has made it a priority to double the number of Registered Apprenticeships in the coming years,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu. “What Zurich is doing to create apprenticeship opportunities in the insurance industry is truly transformative, and I look forward to working with them to expand this exciting initiative.”

Foley announced the new initiative during an event to celebrate Zurich’s insurance apprenticeship program, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. and first to receive certification from the DOL. Zurich has made the commitment to work with Harper College to train at least 100 apprentices by 2020.

About Zurich

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With more than 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in more than 170 countries. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. In North America, Zurich is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors through the individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company. For more information about the products and services it offers and people Zurich employs around the world go to http://www.zurichna.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is a leading global provider of risk management, insurance brokerage and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 72,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative risk and people solutions. For further information on our capabilities and to learn how we empower results for clients, please visit: http://aon.mediaroom.com.

 

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