CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon
plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm
providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions,
is expanding its pioneering corporate Apprenticeship program with
an investment of $30 million over the
next five years. The firm will lead the formation of new local
Apprentice Networks in six new cities across the United States, building upon the proven
approach of programs in the Chicago area and London that have helped bridge the gap between
education and employment.
Aon will initiate the Apprenticeship program expansion with a
starting class of more than 100 apprentices next year in the
metropolitan areas of Chicago,
Houston, Minneapolis, New
York, Philadelphia,
San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Since Aon launched the
Chicago Apprentice Network in 2017 with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and
Zurich Insurance Group with a class of 25 apprentices, the Network
has grown to more than 40 employers working with 740 apprentices.
With this expansion, Aon will lead the development of a nationwide
network of employers to create 10,000 apprenticeships across
the United States by 2030.
"The apprenticeship program has brought so many talented
colleagues to our firm and we know it has tremendous potential to
create new opportunities and professional networks for both
apprentices and participating employers across the United States," said Greg Case, Chief Executive Officer of Aon. "This
is an innovative way for employers to attract and retain diverse
talent, prepare future leaders and contribute to building a more
future-focused, resilient workforce."
"Illinois has the most talented
and dedicated workforce in the nation – but we need tens of
thousands of new skilled workers to continue to meet the growing
demand for talented employees. My administration is making
apprenticeships accessible to students and transitioning workers
statewide to help Illinoisans get training for jobs that offer
greater long-term opportunity, all while businesses expand their
workforce," said Illinois Governor
JB Pritzker. "The Chicago Apprentice Network is providing
life-changing opportunities for the city's youth and the Illinois
Apprenticeship Program, which my administration recently invested
an additional $4.7 million in, is on
track to support an additional 17,000 participants by the end of
this year."
"As the proud co-author of the multi-billion-dollar, bipartisan
'Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act' that funds workforce
training and youth pre-apprenticeship programs across the country,
I have seen the direct impact of Aon's apprenticeship programs in
strengthening our workforce and growing our economy," said
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
(IL-8). "I look forward to continuing to work with Aon, as well as
with all leaders in the Chicago Apprentice Network and like-minded
organizations, to provide more pathways to high-paying, in-demand
jobs in our community."
Aon, together with Accenture, JP Morgan Chase, The Hartford and Zurich Insurance, will spearhead
the expansion of the Chicago Apprentice Network to other
cities. This will include collaboration with educational
partners and nonprofits to create the Network's infrastructure,
similar to the approach with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), College of
Lake County and One Million Degrees for the Chicago
Apprentice Network.
"Advancing our partnership with the Chicago Apprentice Network
is a big next step toward closing the training gaps that affect
every industry and providing more people with equal opportunity to
build thriving careers," said Julie
Sweet, CEO of Accenture, which has hired more than 120
apprentices in Chicago since 2016.
"By bringing professional apprenticeships to additional cities
across America, we will help thousands more underserved people
become job-ready for the roles of today and tomorrow. These
pathways to employment and a more inclusive workforce are a
powerful example of how we can truly make a difference for our
businesses, our communities and the people in our communities."
Aon's Apprenticeship program provides opportunities for diverse
professionals to develop vital skills in the workplace while
earning as they learn. Apprentices are offered permanent positions
with competitive salaries, benefits and financial support for the
cost of education. Aon provides apprenticeships across the firm's
solution lines and corporate functions, including areas such as
human resources and information technology.
"Apprenticeships are a win-win for career seekers and companies
that value diverse perspectives," said Kathleen Savio, CEO of Zurich North America,
which expanded its apprenticeship program from the company's
Chicago-area headquarters to
New York this year, while helping
to launch Insurance Apprenticeship USA (IAUSA), an insurance industry-focused
initiative. "Expanding apprenticeship programs is an investment in
a future-ready workforce."
The Apprenticeship program has helped Aon build a talent
pipeline of highly skilled and diverse professionals. As part of
Aon's global commitments to further embed inclusion and diversity
into the firm's culture, expanding the Apprenticeship program will
help build a more resilient workforce and drive better outcomes for
our clients and greater impact in our communities.
"The Chicago Apprentice Network has played an essential
role in deepening City Colleges' relationship with the
business community and accelerating our capacity to connect CCC
students to transformational careers," said Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of
Chicago. "As Accenture and Aon
expand their apprenticeship commitments to other cities, we look
forward to supporting our community college colleagues in building
models that showcase the incredible talents of community college
students."
Aon launched its apprenticeship program in 2012 in the UK and in
2017 in the United States,
training more than 290 apprentices globally. More information about
Aon's Apprenticeship program is available here. For more
information about the Chicago Apprentice Network, click here.
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) is a leading global
professional services firm providing a broad range of risk,
retirement and health solutions. Our 50,000 colleagues in 120
countries empower results for clients by using proprietary data and
analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve
performance.
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SOURCE Aon plc