First Bachelor’s Degree Apprentices begin journey with Zurich and UAGC

Zurich North America’s first Bachelor’s Degree Apprentices have started a two-year journey, during which the 19 apprentices will begin building their careers with the insurance provider while completing their bachelor’s degrees online at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC).

The new Bachelor’s Degree Apprenticeship represents the latest evolution of a pioneering program Zurich launched in the U.S. in 2016 to reach a broader, more diverse talent pool. The Zurich Apprenticeship Program was designed to provide an opportunity to fast-track a professional career while completing a college degree. Zurich covers apprentices’ tuition and pays them as full-time employees with benefits.

Initially, Zurich’s two-year apprenticeships were for individuals with little to no college experience who wanted to earn an associate degree from one of the community colleges that provide Zurich’s apprentice curriculum. In fall of 2022, Zurich announced it would offer a second path for individuals who already have completed two years of college studies and want to complete a bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or IT-Cyber and Data Security Technology.

“Zurich added this new apprentice pathway based on business need for another layer of talent,” said Al Crook, Head of HR Business Partners and Apprenticeship at Zurich. “The Bachelor’s Degree Apprenticeship gives us access to a talent pool where maybe they stepped away from college because of a family crisis or for financial reasons. They intend to go back, and it can be difficult to make that happen. This program makes it possible.”

So does the University of Arizona Global Campus. UAGC provides the curriculum in a flexible online format. Rather than taking several courses at once, Zurich Bachelor’s Degree Apprentices take one five- to six-week course at a time at UAGC before moving to the next so they can focus. Coursework can be done from any location, and students can take classes that accommodate both their work schedule and their lifestyle.

"We are very excited about our collaboration with Zurich North America,” said UAGC President Paul Pastorek. “The company clearly sees the value in the power of education, and they have taken a huge step forward by offering this priceless benefit that will open new doors for their employees. We are pleased to welcome the Zurich team to the UAGC family, and we look forward to watching their employees across the country discover new opportunities by choosing to continue their lifelong learning journey.”

Stefanie Nugara of Huntley, Illinois, applied for the Bachelor’s Degree Apprenticeship after hearing about it from a cousin who is an Associate Degree Apprentice at Zurich. After high school, Nugara had earned two years of credits in community college, but for personal and financial reasons decided to put her education on hold.

“I am a divorced, single mother that has worked for the same company as a graphic designer and project manager for close to 18 years, where my opportunity for growth and advancement has been limited,” Nugara said. “I’ve had a personal goal to earn my bachelor’s degree and the apprenticeship program is my path to achieving my goal. The more I researched Zurich’s Apprenticeship Program, I realized this program would allow me to pursue my dream of earning my degree, all while having on the job training. You truly have the best of both worlds.”

Along with starting their classes, the Bachelor’s Degree Apprentices have started working at Zurich. They are based in business units and functions that include Cyber, U.S. National Accounts, Finance, Group Reinsurance, Zurich Resilience Solutions, Regulatory Affairs, Cybersecurity, the Customer Office, Claims and Workplace Solutions.

They work full-time at Zurich, with eight hours a week allocated for academics. Apprentices have on-the-job coaches, access to mentors and the opportunity to develop professionally by observing and contributing directly to work products.

At the finish line, apprentices not only earn a degree but also a promotion to their next role at Zurich and a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprentice certificate.

Over the years, the Zurich Apprenticeship Program has won recognition for its leadership role in expanding apprenticeship to corporate settings in the U.S. Zurich was a co-founder of the Chicago Apprentice Network with Aon and Accenture, which hosted First Lady Jill Biden and three of President Biden’s Cabinet secretaries for 2022 National Apprenticeship Week last November. Earlier last year, the U.S. Department of Labor selected Zurich as a national Apprenticeship Ambassador.

To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree and Associate Degree Apprenticeships, please visit zurichna.com/apprentices.