Career choice: Information, links and dates

For technology enthusiasts

The Bern Technical College provides full-time training for around 650 apprentices in 12 technical professions, from carpenters to building services technicians and from plumbers to IT specialists. Information afternoons on the apprenticeships offered at TF Bern are held every Wednesday.

The technical college offers an electronics and mechanics course to pupils aged twelve and over: Ten times for two hours on a Wednesday afternoon, they can tinker and solve technical problems together with apprentices and vocational trainers. Cost: 160 Fr.

Apprenticeships at the Bern University of Applied Sciences are open to young people from the Canton of Bern.
www.tfbern.ch

Composite teaching - an exciting alternative

Together with 150 partner companies, the Zurich Vocational Training Network Foundation offers apprenticeships in 26 professions within the network. The network apprenticeship offers young people an exciting environment with above-average opportunities for experience and networking. The insight into different companies is a professional and cultural enrichment. Apprentices receive a varied and broad-based training programme, giving them a good chance of finding a subsequent solution in the world of work.
www.berufslehrverbund.ch

ICT vocational training at school

BICT AG offers school-based apprenticeships for computer scientists and mediamaticians in Bern. The first two years take place at school, where the apprentices also realise customer projects. They attend the vocational school together with apprentices who are completing a «normal» company-based apprenticeship. The third and fourth years of the apprenticeship are completed in a partner company. BICT AG also offers the tenth school year with an ICT specialisation, which prepares students for an apprenticeship as a computer scientist or mediamatician.
www.bict.ch

Part-time apprenticeship for young parents

Since 2021, the canton of Solothurn has been offering a part-time apprenticeship as an EFZ commercial clerk or EBA office assistant for young mothers or fathers. A full-time apprenticeship is very difficult to combine with raising a child due to the amount of learning required for vocational school.

The Chance Foundation's MIA project supports young mothers who want to do an apprenticeship.
www.chance.ch/berufsbildung/mia-muetter-in-ausbildung

Progressing after the apprenticeship

There are currently 318 vocational apprenticeships in Switzerland. After a three- or four-year EFZ apprenticeship, you have access to higher vocational education and training. Those with a vocational baccalaureate can study at a university of applied sciences. This increases the choice of professions to over 2000.

Information on further training, further training occupations and studying after completing an apprenticeship:
www.berufsbildungplus.ch (Federal Government)
www.berufsberatung.ch
www.professional.ch
www.find-your-future.ch
www.bildung-schweiz.ch

Problems in teaching?

www.feel-ok.ch
www.jobcaddie.ch
www.check-your-chance.ch
www.go-lplus.ch
www.lehrstellennetz.ch (Bern region)

www.147.ch (counselling and help from Pro Juventute, helpline for children and young people, also via SMS, e-mail or chat)

www.kabel-berufslehre.ch (counselling service of the Catholic and Reformed Church, also for parents)

Professional inspectorate: There is a responsible professional inspectorate for each apprenticeship. This office ensures that everything runs correctly in vocational training and can mediate in the event of conflicts. The cantonal vocational training authorities can establish contact with the relevant vocational inspectorate.

Legal aspects of an apprenticeship: Do I have to work overtime if my boss asks me to? Can I have a part-time job during my apprenticeship? These and many other legal questions relating to apprenticeships are answered in the guide «I know my rights - apprenticeship and youth law from A to Z», published by the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions. It can be ordered for CHF 5 or downloaded free of charge. The entire digital content: www.rechte-der-lernenden.ch

ICT talents wanted

ICT Scouts/Campus organises four-hour workshops in secondary schools. Those who stand out as talented can spend the following two years at an ICT campus deepening their knowledge of programming, web design and other ICT disciplines - the ideal preparation for an apprenticeship in this field or a computer science secondary school. An equal number of girls and boys are always supported.
www.ict-scouts.ch

Scholarships - for study and vocational training

A solid education pays off in the long term. But what if you don't have the money to study or train professionally? The scholarship system at universities is well developed, although the criteria for receiving a non-repayable financial boost are strict. Scholarships or loans are also available on favourable terms for further vocational training. Organisations such as stipendium.ch or Educa Swiss help with the financing of training.

www.stipendium.ch
www.educaswiss.ch
www.edk.ch > Topics > Scholarships

Semester abroad - also for vocational students

Semesters abroad have long been popular with students. What is less well known is that such programmes are also available for vocational trainees or young apprentices. Movetia is the Swiss agency for exchange and mobility as part of the Swiss «Erasmus+» programme. It is the point of contact for anyone who would like to gain study or vocational training experience in another European country.

www.movetia.ch

Aptitude tests

In addition to school reports, performance and aptitude tests are becoming increasingly important when looking for an apprenticeship. Some companies require the test results, for others they are simply a plus.

Position test: school assessment, at the beginning of the career choice process. Carried out at school.

Basic Check: Job-neutral aptitude assessment, leads to an individual skills profile. Subject to a charge, carried out outside the school.

Multicheck: Determines aptitude for a specific occupational field - the tests differ depending on the occupational direction. Subject to a charge, carried out outside the school.

Compass: Determines intellectual abilities and personality traits. Subject to a charge, carried out online.

Career choice and apprenticeship search online

www.berufsberatung.ch
www.yousty.ch
www.gateway.one
www.lehrstellenboerse.ch
www.die-lehrstelle.ch
www.berufsbildungplus.ch
www.berufsnavigator.ch
www.aubi-plus.ch
connect.swiss-skills.ch
www.find-your-future.ch (technical professions)
www.meineausbildung.ch (building services engineering)
www.toplehrstellen.ch (building services engineering)
www.zukunftsberufe.ch (online and print media production)

Career fairs and information events

Career and education fairs offer an insight into many professions and training opportunities in one place. Apprenticeship companies are also represented at certain events so that you can make contacts straight away.

Apply digitally or on paper?

There are three ways to submit an application: by post on paper, by e-mail as a digital document or via an online application form (from the company itself or on platforms such as yousty.ch). You can find out which form the respective company prefers by calling or searching online.

The following applies to everyone: a letter of motivation (why does the young person want the job?), a CV and certificates are mandatory, often also aptitude tests (e.g. Multicheck). The texts should be corrected, but not written, by an adult.

Digital application: merge the individual text documents into a single PDF file. Label the file appropriately, e.g. . «Application_JonasMüller2022». A file name such as «BewerbungMigros» does not help those responsible at Migros to maintain an overview. The file should not be too heavy, approx. 1 to 2 MB. Reduce the file size if necessary. Instructions for this can be found on the Internet.

Online application: You often have to upload your letter of motivation, cover letter, CV and certificates individually. First study the web form, then get the documents ready so that you can upload them all in one go.

Application on paper: No expensive document sleeves and no stapling! Neatly printed, uncreased sheets of paper in a transparent folder are perfect.

www.berufsberatung.ch, www.yousty.ch

10 tips for the online interview

A job interview or initial contact can also take place on screen when looking for an apprenticeship. The following rules will help you to make a good impression and concentrate on the other person and the interview:

• Test the intended meeting app and familiarise yourself with its functions in a test meeting with a friend or family member. The camera, microphone and speakers or headphones must work perfectly. Meeting chat can also be useful, for example to share a document.
• If you are planning to show your conversation partner something from your PC, test sharing the screen. Make sure that the other person only sees things from your computer that you want to show.
• Dress as you would for a personal interview.
• Sit in front of a neutral background where nothing is moving. Do not sit in front of a window, but in such a way that the light falls on you from the front. Refrain from playing around with artificial backgrounds.
• Close the window. Ambient noise that you don't even notice can be disturbing for the person you are talking to and make it difficult to understand you.
• Only when you look into the camera do you look the other person «in the eye». If you are looking at the monitor, look down for the person you are speaking to (because the camera is above the screen on most computers).
• Have a drink ready within easy reach.
• Make sure that you are not disturbed during the call. Not from family members, not from a pet and not from your mobile phone (activate flight mode).
• Have certificates and other documents that you have sent ready so that you can look them up if necessary. You should be able to access your digital application dossier on your computer with just a few clicks.
• Go through the tips for the job interview.
• All common meeting platforms also have an app for smartphones. If you take part in the meeting via your mobile phone, fix it in place (on a tripod or similar) and do not hold it in your hand during the meeting! Do not allow any calls or messages during the meeting.
• The above rules also apply to online meetings on smartphones.

Apprenticeship or grammar school? These questions will help you decide

• Do I need a specific educational background for my career goal?
• How is my school performance?
• Am I interested in (almost) all subjects?
• Which subjects would I like to study in depth?
• How soon do I want to enter the adult world?
• How much do I like being a pupil?
• How much do I appreciate leaving my professional future open?

  Source: www.beratungsdienste.ch

Apprenticeship and study programme in one

University of Applied Sciences graduates who have previously learnt a profession from the ground up in an apprenticeship are considered particularly valuable employees in many places. The «practice-integrated bachelor's degree programme» (PIBS) gives graduates with a high school diploma a similar foundation. The technical university of applied sciences degree programme is combined with practical training in a partner company. The PIBS programme lasts three years instead of four. However, high school graduates must gain one year of relevant work experience before embarking on a three-year UAS degree programme. The two programmes therefore take the same amount of time in total. Practice-integrated Bachelor's degree programmes are available in various technical disciplines at the following universities of applied sciences: BFH, FFHS, HSR and ZHAW.

One teaching, two languages

If you can express yourself professionally in several languages, you have a strong argument on the labour market. Consequently, more and more training companies and vocational schools are offering bilingual apprenticeships or apprenticeships in English. It would go beyond the scope of this article to list them all. However, it is worth looking for a suitable bilingual apprenticeship in your home region.

FABI specialist centre for professional inclusion

Making their way into the world of work - this raises many questions for young people: What happens after school? What would be a suitable career for me? It's an exciting time - and sometimes a bit worrying for parents. The FABI specialist centre advises young people with support needs (ADHD, LRS, behavioural problems, etc.) on all aspects of choosing a career, such as the training on offer, support options in the company and the next steps towards realising their career aspirations. Brief counselling sessions of up to one hour are free of charge.
www.hfh.ch/fabi

Help in choosing a career

Counselling for young people and parents

Go4Job, national helpline against youth unemployment: www.check-your-chance.ch/jobline

LIFT youth project: work integration during school time: www.jugendprojekt-lift.ch

Motivation semester, deployment options and coaching: www.fit4job.ch

Strong Parents - Strong Youth Association (Canton of Zurich): www.sesj.ch

Mentoring: With the personal trainer to the apprenticeship

Mentoring Ithaka, Canton of Zurich: www.mentoring.zh.ch

Junior Mentoring, Canton Aargau: www.junior-mentoring.ch

Rock Your Life! Basel, Bern, Chur, Fribourg, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Zurich, Winterthur: www.schweiz.rockyourlife.org

Incluso (Caritas Zurich) for young people with a migration background: www.caritas-zuerich.ch > What we do > incluso

Mentoring for young people, Basel: www.mb.bs.ch > Counselling > Counselling centres > Mentoring for young people

Mentoring apprenticeship network, Bern: www.lehrstellennetz.ch/mentoring

Job Caddie, Zurich, Zug, Bern, Schwyz/Upper Lake Zurich: www.jobcaddie.ch

MentoLu, Lucerne: www.beruf.lu.ch > Counselling & support > Career counselling > MentoLU

Mentoring Thurgau: www.tgv.ch > Services > Mentoring Thurgau

Pro Juventute

The Pro Juventute Foundation's website contains a wealth of valuable tips on choosing a career, finding an apprenticeship and an overview of interim solutions and support services if you are unable or unwilling to continue working in the company after your apprenticeship.
www.projuventute.ch

The KV apprenticeship of the future

Apprenticeships in business administration are still the most popular in Switzerland. At the same time, various studies predict that pure office-based services will soon come to an end, as intelligent machines can do them just as well or even better. The Swiss Commercial Association has therefore been working on reforming the commercial apprenticeship programme for some time.

On its website, the Professional Association of Commercial Employees provides information about the skills that the commercial apprenticeship of the future should teach: digital skills, self-organisation and self-reflection, the ability to find one's way in rapidly changing situations at a young age and to work in various projects and teams. On the one hand, this sounds very much like the working world of today and tomorrow, but on the other hand it still sounds somewhat theoretical. But one thing is clear: the Kaufmännische Verband is working to ensure that it continues to offer relevant vocational training that meets the demands of the times.

www.kfmv.ch > About us > KV apprenticeship reform

Apprenticeship exchange: Where apprenticeship seekers and training companies meet

Apprenticeship fairs are career fairs in miniature. Companies looking for apprentices present themselves and their professions. Young people who are looking for an apprenticeship can talk directly to the people in charge and make a personal first impression. Some fairs take place shortly before the apprenticeship starts and are an opportunity to find an apprenticeship after all. Some events now take place online.

Some apprenticeship exchanges are organised by public bodies such as the local BIZ. In other cases, they are organised by trade associations or schools.

There are «physical» apprenticeship exchanges in the cantons of Zurich, Aargau, Bern and St. Gallen, for example. Online apprenticeship fairs are held in the cantons of Basel and Central Switzerland.

Further information is available from the local careers information centre BIZ.

Better opportunities on the labour market

Adults without a vocational qualification earn less, lose their job more quickly and find it harder to find a new one. Reason enough to obtain a qualification in adulthood. This is usually possible with a shortened apprenticeship or a qualification examination. According to berufsbildungplus.ch, 9,000 adults complete an EFZ or EBA qualification every year.

www.berufsbildungplus.ch
www.berufsberatung.ch

What do I want to be? - The career choice podcast from Fritz+Fränzi

Polygraphist, florist or would you rather go to a technical secondary school? For most young people, choosing a career is the first big decision they make themselves. Some have long known where they want to go, others still need time to find out. Journalist Franziska Engelhardt has produced a podcast in twelve episodes for the Swiss parents' magazine Fritz+Fränzi. She visits pupils on their journey, looks over the shoulders of apprentices at work and asks specialists what it takes to find the right apprenticeship. Finally, she meets a farmer who was once a youth worker and trains young people with learning difficulties on her farm. Her example shows that no job or training is forever. All episodes are available free of charge on the Fritz+Fränzi website or on your podcast app.