Year after year, this figure is bandied about as evidence of a major crisis: a quarter of all apprentices drop out of their apprenticeship. However, it is important to put this into perspective: this 25 per cent also includes those who have changed their specialism during their apprenticeship or who are undertaking an EBA apprenticeship instead of an EFZ one, and have therefore signed a new apprenticeship contract.
Added to this are those whom their apprenticeship employers were unable to train further. Yet even if only one in five completes their apprenticeship without a qualification, for most of them this represents a painful experience.
It all starts with a crisis: the young person is not happy in their apprenticeship. The first question that arises is: is it down to the training organisation, a particular supervisor, the staff, or the Oberstift? Is the journey too far, or did the young person even have to move in with a host family during the week?
Or is it the job that isn't right , perhaps because the focus is on different tasks than expected? Are the demands too high or too low? The key question is: can the situation be improved so that your son or daughter wants to continue their apprenticeship in the same place?
Skills were not put to good use
All of this needs to be clarified in discussion with the training company, perhaps a vocational school teacher and, possibly, the cantonal vocational training inspectorate. Very important: if the training company is the reason for the apprentice's unhappiness, switching to another company can help them get back on track. They can continue to attend vocational school, even if they have yet to find a new training company.
For Arno*, it was the job itself. During his taster apprenticeship as an electrician, he had fitted light fittings in private homes. During his full apprenticeship, he then worked on building sites. His sociable nature and communication skills were of no use to him there. It became clear to him after only a short time that he did not want to become an electrician.
If a young person drops out of her apprenticeship, it is important that she remains active and has a daily routine.
An apprenticeship contract may be terminated without notice by either party during the first three months; thereafter, it may only be terminated by mutual agreement. In reality, hardly any company will continue to train a young person who has no desire to do so. It is also important at this stage to inform the vocational training office. If the apprenticeship is terminated early, it may be possible to start a new apprenticeship in the same year. Of course, many of the particularly popular apprenticeship places will already be taken by then, but there are certainly vacancies available in other companies or professions.
Please note: The Vocational Training Office must approve every apprenticeship contract; only then is it valid. From around November onwards, it will no longer approve any new apprenticeship contracts for the current academic year. In that case, your son or daughter will simply start afresh after the next summer holidays.
Transitional programmes are also available throughout the year
Following the termination of the contract, it is important that the young person remains active and has a daily routine. This could involve continuing to attend vocational school for the time being or seeking a bridging programme. Many providers allow young people to join their programmes at any time during the year.
Added to this is the search for the right career and a new apprenticeship. Career guidance services can offer valuable support here. Once again, it is important to carefully assess interests and aptitudes; perhaps it is, after all, the career that the young person turned their back on a few months ago.
The terminated apprenticeship is now part of your CV and must be explained in any new job applications. You should refrain from making one-sided accusations. Anyone who can explain what went wrong and is self-critical demonstrates maturity. No one is at a disadvantage simply because they ended their apprenticeship early.
Barbara Gisi from the Aargau Canton's Education and Career Guidance Services explains that personality and commitment also play a major role when looking for a second apprenticeship: «Anyone who submits a strong application, presents themselves well, comes across as interested and motivated, and makes a good impression during a taster session has a good chance of making a fresh start, regardless of whether it was the training company or the apprentice who wanted to terminate the contract.» Those affected must accept that they may only be able to start again in the following apprenticeship year.
The time that has passed and the experiences gained often have a positive impact on young people's development.
Barbara Gisi, careers adviser
Even if the training organisation has requested the termination of the contract, young people usually manage to find a new apprenticeship. Federal statistics show that four out of five people who have dropped out of an apprenticeship go on to obtain their apprenticeship certificate a few years later. Take Arno, for example, who is now a qualified healthcare specialist (EFZ).
Decision based on more prior knowledge
The second career choice – or a continuation of the first, if you like – is made with a greater wealth of experience. In this context, the abandoned apprenticeship is, in effect, an extended taster apprenticeship. «The second decision is often more carefully considered and is made with greater prior knowledge,» says Barbara Gisi, drawing on her experience as a careers adviser.
«The time that has passed and the experiences gained often have a positive impact on young people's development.» She recalls a commercial apprentice who did not enjoy office life at all. His employer would have liked to keep him on and wrote in his reference that there was nothing but good things to say about the young man, both in terms of his performance and his character. He subsequently completed an apprenticeship as a carpenter.
None of this is intended to encourage anyone to drop out of their apprenticeship on a whim. One thing is clear: your next apprenticeship will also be demanding and strenuous. However, if it really isn't the right fit, it makes sense to give yourself a second chance.
* Name changed
