Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited Bühler’s headquarters in Uzwil, Switzerland, on November 17, 2025, to examine the country’s dual vocational education system and explore ways to strengthen apprenticeship programs back home.
Accompanied by Minnesota business leaders, trade union representatives, and state officials, Walz toured Bühler’s CUBIC innovation campus, research and training centers, and the Bühler Energy Center—dedicated to vocational training and adult education. The delegation observed training sessions, met apprentices and instructors, and studied the integration of classroom learning with paid on-the-job experience.
“During our visit, we saw proof of what is possible when government and private sectors work together to improve job opportunities for our youth,” Walz said. “We need more of these opportunities in Minnesota—real jobs that lead to credentials employers actually value.”
Bühler North America, which launched its own apprenticeship program in Minnesota in 2012, has adapted key elements of the Swiss model to meet U.S. requirements. “Developing skilled talent is essential. High-quality training equips our teams and strengthens our long-term competitiveness,” said Tracy Bayer, Bühler North America’s vice president of human resources.
Stefan Scheiber, CEO of Bühler Group, praised the collaborative effort to translate the Swiss approach for the American context, calling it a “solid foundation for workforce development.” Bühler’s global apprenticeship programs, based on the Swiss dual-vocational model, trained 565 apprentices worldwide in 2024, including 305 in Switzerland across 10 vocational fields.
