The American Dream remains within reach — in Switzerland

The American Dream is just that – a dream – for many young people in the US today. As some presidential candidates have noted, particularly as they try to court younger voters, college-loan indebtedness and a skills gap are blocking many young Americans from reaching the middle class. Students are graduating with massive debts, parents can’t get their adult kids up and out of their basements, and businesses are frustrated about the skill sets of the workforce coming out of today’s schools. While the presidential debate focuses on how to handle student-loan indebtedness and whether college could be offered for free, another model –which is working well in Switzerland – should be considered. Students in Switzerland have a much easier path to the middle class. Yes, college is nearly free, and many would argue that model could be hard to duplicate in the U.S. But another big factor is that small nation’s dependence on business apprenticeships as an ...