Apprenticeship: How do I get off to a good start?

Lea Bangerter remembers the first day of her apprenticeship very well: a room full of adult team members who wanted to greet her. Today, the 23-year-old from Bern completed her apprenticeship as a healthcare specialist at Spitex two years ago. She was unsure at the time, as the situation was new and exciting.

Timon Menti also looks back on his apprenticeship three years ago with mixed feelings: «It went from 0 to 100 straight away!» As soon as he arrived at the company, the budding electrician was already on the construction site. «I just tried to stay as relaxed as possible and kept a close eye on what the others were doing. That gave me a bit of security.»

I quickly learned to organise myself.

Timon Menti, apprentice

Susanne Küng also wants to convey this in her role as a vocational trainer in an accounting firm. The 41-year-old commercial employee accompanies young people from the start of their apprenticeship to graduation. «Experience has shown that it is easier for young people to enter adult life if they have clear instructions to guide them.»

For apprentice Menti, however, it was a case of «grab your tools and go!» Looking back, he sees this leap into the deep end as a positive thing. «I quickly learned to organise myself and keep a clear head even under time pressure.» At the beginning of his apprenticeship, he had to grit his teeth from time to time.

Completely new challenges

Lea Bangerter had the same experience. Although she was never travelling alone in the Spitex car during the first six months, she still found this time challenging. «It takes stamina to switch from school to a job where you don't sit down but are on your feet for hours at a time.» And it takes confidence that it gets a little easier with every additional hour of experience.

«Young people mature extremely over the course of the apprenticeship years,» says vocational trainer Küng. «The sooner the young people are able to organise themselves, the sooner they feel comfortable in their new role as professionals.» Those who are able to meet deadlines and approach tasks in a considered manner find it easier to cope with everyday working life. «And,» adds Timon Menti, «the motivation for the job should be so great that you don't learn because you have to, but because you want to know more.»