Harper adds apprenticeships in insurance, manufacturing

Imagine graduating from college debt-free, with work experience under your belt and a guaranteed job already lined up.

That's the trifecta for any college student, but it's also a rarity in today's educational and economic climates.

With Harper College introducing its first apprenticeships, however, more students will position themselves for success through the ultimate earn-and-learn experience. To learn more, visit http://harperapprenticeships.org/

Harper recently partnered with two international organizations — Zurich Insurance and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest — to establish apprentice programs in the insurance and manufacturing fields.

The programs emulate longtime successful dual education models in Switzerland and Germany, and according to the White House, are a proven training strategy for workers to learn the skills that employers need for American businesses to grow and thrive in a competitive global environment.

“These apprenticeships are valuable for the employers and valuable for the students,” said Rebecca Lake, dean of Workforce and Economic Development at Harper. “The companies are making a real investment in students who will hopefully become long-term assets to their organizations.”

In January, the first cohort of insurance apprentices will begin a 2½-year program focusing on claims and underwriting. Apprentices will be paid employees of Zurich and earn academic credit and industry certifications. The Swiss company, whose pool of customers spans more than 170 countries, is committed to having 100 apprentices in the program by 2020.

In addition to securing a position at Zurich, successful apprentices are eligible for an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration and a certificate of completion through the Registered Apprenticeship program.

Zurich's aim is to create a channel that bolsters the supply of talent entering the insurance field. After the pilot program with Harper is completed, the company hopes to scale up the program industrywide.

“Our program is the first of its kind in the U.S. insurance industry and, therefore, has an important role to play in demonstrating the value of apprenticeships in this sector,” said Mike Foley, CEO of North America Commercial and regional chairman of North America for Zurich Insurance Group.

“Our experience in Switzerland has shown us that apprenticeships are a very powerful way of developing core business competencies and inspiring young people to take on new challenges.”

In manufacturing, Harper teamed with the German-American chamber to launch the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic apprenticeship program. The goal is to address the need for skilled workers in northern Illinois as an aging workforce and image problem continue to challenge manufacturers.

“This is basically a directive from the companies, who really do struggle to find the skilled people they need,” said Mario Kratsch, director of Skills Initiative at GACC Midwest. “Area companies with German roots have benefited from an apprenticeship system back in Germany and wanted something similar here.”

Starting this month, a cohort of about 10 Harper students will begin three years of training toward becoming industrial technicians, who manufacture, maintain and monitor technical systems. They'll alternate between blocks of coursework on campus and on-the-job training at partner companies such as Felsomat, Komet USA, Scot Forge, Wieland and others.

In addition to paying tuition, the companies will provide students with $200 weekly stipends while in school and $9 to $12 an hour while working, depending on the program year.

In total, companies will annually compensate each trainee between $20,000 and $25,000 in tuition and salary over each of the three years. Upon successful completion, students graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree and receive guaranteed employment for two years at a higher pay rate.

President Obama has called for expanding apprenticeships for American workers, saying they're a proven training strategy for workers to learn the skills that employers need for businesses to grow and thrive in a competitive global environment.

They're also a path to the middle class, with the average starting wage for apprenticeship graduates at more than $50,000.

Maria Coons, vice president of Workforce and Strategic Alliances at Harper, said Harper plans to develop more apprenticeships over time.

“These apprenticeships are going to become more common,” Coons said. “European countries do it and have seen a lot of success. An apprenticeship is the ultimate 'earn and learn' experience.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the insurance apprenticeship; those interested in the manufacturing apprentice program can apply to the fall 2016 cohort.