Zurich Insurance Adds Two Colleges to Their Apprenticeship Expansion

Zurich Insurance is expanding its self-titled apprenticeship program this fall in the North American region. The program has also recruited two new educational partners in Northeast Iowa Community College and Harold Washington College in Chicago to help in their growing efforts to build out their apprenticeships.

For Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) their job will be to create an agribusiness curriculum for apprentices participating in Zurich's crop insurance business. Harold Washington College’s role will be to provide coursework to downtown Chicago apprentices based in three Zurich business units including International Programs, Middle Market, Life, Accident, and Health.

Harold Washington College has also been a part of providing apprenticeship curriculums to other companies that are part of the Chicago Apprentice Network, which was co-founded by Zurich with Aon and Accenture in 2017. Today the network has grown significantly to reach over 70 employers.

“We are excited to expand our apprenticeship program once again. Working with NICC and Harold Washington College, in addition to Harper College and BMCC, will help us meet a clear and critical business need. It also will create meaningful career and education opportunities for motivated individuals who otherwise might not have access to them.”

Kristof Terryn, CEO of Zurich Insurance North America

Zurich's Apprenticeship Program was launched in 2016 and is now looking to recruit more than double the typical amount of participants for their upcoming cohort that will start the program in August. The apprenticeship is currently recruiting for 75 positions based in different areas of Zurich's current business located in 16 states and cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

This year's cohort of apprentices will represent the largest in the history of Zurich's U.S. program, which was created to widen Zurich's talent pipeline as well as create apprenticeship-based earn-and-learn career pathways for people without a college degree. The program will also focus on recently graduated high schoolers, career changers, those re-entering the workforce after a hiatus, and veterans.