{"id":122,"date":"2025-03-10T09:36:42","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T09:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gan-global.org\/?page_id=122"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:44:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:44:53","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gan-global.org\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

About GAN Global<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Shaping workforces of the future through quality apprenticeships and work-based learning.<\/div><\/div>

GAN Global is a business-driven, multi-sector alliance connecting employers, international organisations, and country networks. We promote apprenticeship and work-based learning (WBL) to help translate policy into action.<\/p>\n

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Explore our impact<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Join GAN Global<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"About<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Impact<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
0<\/span>K+<\/span><\/div><\/div>
<\/span>apprenticeships enabled\u2028each year<\/span><\/div><\/div>
0<\/span><\/div><\/div>
corporate champions for apprenticeships<\/div><\/div><\/div>
0<\/span>+<\/span><\/div><\/div>
global events since 2013<\/div><\/div><\/div>
0<\/span>+<\/span><\/div><\/div>
publications produced<\/div><\/div><\/div>
0<\/span><\/div><\/div>
country networks across 6 continents<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Image\"<\/span><\/div>

Quality Apprenticeships<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Apprenticeships have long connected learning with earning by blending real\u2011world experience and structured education. In June 2023, the International Labour Organization (ILO) set a global benchmark by adopting the Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (R208), the first international standard defining what a quality apprenticeship is.<\/p>\n

According to R208, a quality apprenticeship is a formal, paid training arrangement based on a written agreement, combining on\u2011the\u2011job and off\u2011the\u2011job learning and leading to a recognized qualification. This global framework reflects today\u2019s rapidly evolving world of work and underscores the importance of lifelong learning, decent work, and social protection.<\/p>\n

Quality apprenticeships don\u2019t just build skills, they help align education with labor market needs, strengthen business competitiveness, and open pathways to meaningful employment for people of all ages.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Vision<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Our vision is a world in which all individuals and businesses have the skills and talent they need to thrive and contribute to society.<\/div><\/div>\"\"<\/span><\/div>
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Our Mission<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Our mission is to champion Quality Apprenticeships as a key driver for workforce development, social mobility, and economic growth.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

What we stand for<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Four working principles guide how we show up, especially as we translate global frameworks into real-world apprenticeship practice.<\/div><\/div>
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Alignment<\/div>
We keep employers and policymakers moving in the same direction, from global policy to local delivery.<\/div><\/div>
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Protection<\/div>
We advocate for quality programs that include rights, safeguards, and clear agreements.<\/div><\/div>
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Diversity<\/div>
We back inclusive pathways so opportunity widens, and talent pools deepen.<\/div><\/div>
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Collaboration<\/div>
We convene business, policy, and practice stakeholders to scale what works.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Meet the leadership<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
GAN Global is led by a secretariat and governed by a Management Board that brings together corporate leaders and founding international organizations.<\/div><\/div>

SECRETERIAT<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\"Kathryn<\/span>
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Kathryn Rowan<\/div>
Executive Director<\/div>
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\"Image\"<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN MANAGEMENT BOARD<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\"Michael<\/span>
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Michael Kienle<\/div>
Chair of the Board<\/div>
Global VP of Talent Acquisition<\/div><\/div>
\"Image\"<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\"Irene<\/span>
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Irene Mark-Eisenring<\/div>
Vice-Chair of the Board<\/div>
CHRO<\/div><\/div>
\"Image\"<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\"Marc<\/span>
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Marc van der Net<\/div>
Treasurer of the Board<\/div>
Strategic & Consulting Lead<\/div><\/div>
\"Image\"<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\"Roberto<\/span>
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Roberto Su\u00e1rez Santos<\/div>
Secretary of the Board<\/div>
Secretary-General<\/div><\/div>
\"Image\"<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Corporate Members<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Anna Lenz<\/div>
Executive Vice President\u2028Global Head of Human Resources<\/div><\/div>
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Christophe Catoir<\/div>
President<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Fran\u00e7ois Rohrbach<\/div>
President Switzerland, VP HR BP COO<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Naria Santa Lucia<\/div>
General Manager<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Nicholas Morgan<\/div>
President<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Patrick Stolz<\/div>
Head HR Personal & Corporate Banking\u2028Regional Head HR Switzerland<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Soledad Alvarado Ganzhorn<\/div>
Senior Vice President\u2028Global Head of SAP Next Gen<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Founding International Organizations<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Hanni Rosenbaum<\/div>
Executive Director Business<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Roberto Su\u00e1rez Santos<\/div>
Secretary-General<\/div>
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Sangheon Lee<\/div>
Director, Employment, Policies Department<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Stefano Scarpetta<\/div>
Director of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Employer and Business Organizations<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Dean Luciani<\/div>
Chief Executive Officer<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span><\/div>
Hermann Gir\u00f3n<\/div>
President<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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Maria Furtado<\/div>
Vice President of the Education, Technology and Productive Innovation Department<\/div><\/div>\"Image\"<\/span>
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How we\u2019re Governed<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1<\/div>
General Council<\/div>
The General Council holds overall strategic responsibility and brings together corporate members, founding partners, and country networks (with strategic partners invited as observers). It convenes once a year during the International Labour Conference at the ILO.<\/div><\/div>
2<\/div>
Management Board<\/div>
The Board oversees operations and implements the General Council\u2019s decisions; it elects the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer, with the Secretary role held ex officio by the IOE Secretary-General.<\/div><\/div>
3<\/div>
Secretariat<\/div>
The Secretariat coordinates and executes GAN\u2019s work programme with members, partners, and country networks, led by the Executive Director.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Read our organizational statutes<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Read feasibility study<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Story<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2012<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

G20 B20 meetings establishing need for a convening organization to address rising youth unemployment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2013<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

ILO Feasibility Study<\/a> identified how an international network of companies on apprenticeship could address talent gaps.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2014<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN Global’s launched as a Swiss non-profit organization founded by ILO, IOE, OECD, Business at OECD, UBS and the Adecco Group.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2015<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

First country network launched in T\u00fcrkiye during G20 OECD conference on promoting quality apprenticeships. Nestl\u00e9 joins as a member.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2016<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Awarded a USDOL grant leading to the establishment of GAN Argentina and work-based learning activities in Latin America and Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2017<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN’s first participation in WorldSkills. First non-European Companies join the board: Microsoft and Accenture<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2018<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Launched first international campaign, “Skilling Now”, bringing together member companies, international partners, and country networks to elevate the status of apprenticeships. dsm-firmenich joins as a board member.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2019<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN becomes a WorldSkills conference coalition partner. GAN Australia, GAN Guatemala, and GAN Namibia are launched, helping GAN break new ground in Oceania.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2020<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Global Pandemic uncovered a deep digital divide, underpinning the need for digital skilling. GAN Global partners with Microsoft Philanthropies to help bridge this gap.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2021<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Reaffirmed private sector’s commitment to leveraging apprenticeships as a sustainable pathway to foster a post-pandemic recovery. L’Or\u00e9al joins board as the first French-based company.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2022<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN hosts Future of Apprenticeships Conference and study tours in Australia and New Zealand<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2023<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

First global recommendation on quality apprenticeships (ILO Recommendation 208) is adopted at 2023 International Labour Conference. Buhler and ACS join as a board member.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2024<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN launches Corporate Champions for Apprenticeships to engage the private sector following the adoption of ILO R208. GAN USA is launched in Texas.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure>

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2025<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

GAN partners with the IOE on an European Union project to foster future-ready skills in South Asia and promote inclusive apprenticeships. SAP joins board as the first German company.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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