Why Hospitality Indiana Leaders Went to Switzerland — And What It Means for Our Workforce Future

Last month, Hospitality Indiana took an important step forward in shaping the future of our industry’s workforce.

Four of our board members—representing hospitality employers from across Indiana—along with our Executive Director, traveled to Zurich, Switzerland to participate in the INCAP Zurich Learning Exchange, hosted by the Indy Chamber and the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

This wasn’t a typical study tour. It was a working exchange focused on one goal: bringing back proven, real-world solutions to strengthen Indiana’s hospitality and culinary talent pipeline.

Why Switzerland?

Switzerland is home to one of the most effective workforce development systems in the world: its Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) model.

At its core is a powerful concept—students begin career-focused training while still in high school through structured apprenticeships, then continue advancing through flexible pathways that connect education directly to employment.

What makes this system stand out isn’t just the structure—it’s the leadership of employers. Industry drives the system, ensuring training aligns with real workforce needs in real time.

That’s exactly the kind of model Indiana is working to build.

What This Means for Indiana

Hospitality Indiana is proud to share that we have officially been named the Industry Talent Association for the Hospitality & Culinary track of the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP).

INCAP is a new statewide initiative developed by CEMETS iLab Indiana to better connect education, training, and employment. It is designed to create clear, modern pathways for students and adult learners to enter and grow within high-demand industries—like hospitality.

Our participation in the Zurich Learning Exchange ensures that Indiana’s hospitality industry is not just part of this conversation—but helping lead it.

What We Did

During the exchange, our delegation joined a cross-sector group of Indiana leaders from business, education, and community organizations to:

• Meet directly with Swiss employers, educators, and policymakers

• Visit training sites and apprenticeship programs in action

• Explore how employer-led systems are structured, funded, and sustained

• Identify practical strategies that can be adapted for Indiana

These conversations went beyond theory. They focused on implementation—what works, why it works, and how it can translate back home.

Why It Matters to You

If you’re a hospitality employer in Indiana, this work directly impacts your ability to:

• Build a stronger, more reliable talent pipeline

• Engage with students earlier and more meaningfully

• Shape training programs that reflect your business needs

• Reduce turnover by creating clearer career pathways

In short: this is about making it easier to find, train, and retain great people.

What Comes Next

This trip is just the beginning.

Hospitality Indiana will be working closely with employers, educators, and state partners to apply what we’ve learned and continue building out the INCAP Hospitality & Culinary pathway.

That includes more opportunities for members to get involved—whether through apprenticeships, curriculum input, or workforce partnerships.

We went to Switzerland to learn from the best. Now, we’re bringing those insights back to Indiana to build something that works for our industry.

If you’re interested in getting involved in INCAP or learning more about how this impacts your business, we’d love to connect.

Together, we’re building the future of hospitality talent in Indiana.