Building Bridges: Empowering Future Talent Through Apprenticeships

On April 1, 2025, GAN Global hosted a thought-provoking event at Nestlé HQ, just after our first Board meeting of the year. The event convened industry leaders, policymakers, and apprentices to discuss the transformative power of apprenticeships.

Kicking off the event, Gallup’s Diana Sonnenberg, Director of Client Experience Germany, and Jeremie Brecheisen, EMEA Managing Partner, introduced the Careers of the Future Index (CFI), developed in partnership with Amazon. The CFI provides young adults, their advisors, and companies with data-driven insights to make informed choices, ranking careers based on factors such as income, job growth, vacancies per worker, and resistance to automation. The research that led to the development of the CFI details the survey findings and insights collected by Gallup and Amazon. GAN is excited to share more about this initiative, as it is closely aligned with our goal of equipping individuals and companies with the necessary information to navigate the evolving job landscape and prepare for the future of today’s labor market. To read the full report, click here.

Mia Seppo, Assistant Director-General, Jobs and Social Protection Cluster, International Labour Organization, reinforced the importance of ensuring that youth around the world are ready for the future by providing them with employment opportunities in sectors and industries that are being greened and digitalized, as well as within the care economy. She also highlighted the ILO Recommendation 208 as a benchmark for quality apprenticeships related to decent working conditions, mentorship opportunities, and multilevel partnerships that enable these programs.

François Rohrbach, General Manager, Switzerland and SVP Human Resources, Global HR BP Ingredients and R&D, dsm-firmenich, and Sonia Studer, Head of Human Resources, Nestlé Switzerland, shared insights on how apprenticeships contribute to business success and innovation, emphasizing the mutual benefits for companies and young professionals. The discussion highlighted the importance of partnerships between businesses, educational institutions, and regulatory bodies in creating supportive environments for apprenticeship programs. Apprentices Ambre Reichenbach, Ibrahim Nduwimana, and Leo Lo Giudice shared their personal experiences, demonstrating the real-world impact of apprenticeships on skill development and career trajectories. They discussed how pursuing an apprenticeship was the right fit for their specific needs, and how trust and support from their mentors and colleagues has built their confidence in their work and themselves.

Overall, the event reinforced the critical role of apprenticeships in preparing youth for the careers of the future, as identified by the CFI. By integrating data-driven approaches, we can better align apprenticeship programs with emerging career opportunities, especially in the digital and green transition, ensuring that both businesses and young professionals thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

We thank all of the speakers, apprentices, and participants for their invaluable contributions. GAN remains dedicated to fostering collaborations that enhance apprenticeship programs globally.

How do you see apprenticeships evolving to meet the demands of future careers? Share your thoughts here!