If you want to do an apprenticeship in Switzerland, there are many professions open to you. Around 40,000 apprenticeship positions are regularly waiting for new apprentices. How can you get started?
In this article
Apprenticeship in Switzerland
In addition to Germany and Austria, you can also do a dual vocational training in the neighboring country of Switzerland. In Switzerland, there are some unique apprenticeships, for example:
- Retail trade specialist (managing online stores)
- Digital business developer
- Building computer scientist
- Captain of inland waterway transport (Kapitänin der Binnenschifffahrt)
- Horse specialist with specialization in western riding
- of course for Switzerland: food technologist/login chocolate
- or also: Musical dancer (m/f)
In the following, we will explain to you what you need to know about vocational training in Switzerland. Basically, you should know that the vocational training in Switzerland is very similar to the training in Germany and Austria. This means:
- Practical instruction in the employing company
- theoretical instruction in the trade school
- you have to go through the training if you want to work in a certain profession as a skilled worker (and not only as an assistant)
- apprenticeship of several years
- you receive a salary during the apprenticeship
- at the end of the apprenticeship there is an examination
- you can continue your education afterwards and become a master in a profession, for example.
Special features of the apprenticeship in Switzerland
Compared to the training in Germany and Austria, there are also some special features. You need to know these:
- Young people can acquire the vocational baccalaureate during or after the apprenticeship. The vocational baccalaureate extends the basic vocational training with a stronger general education. It gives you access to a university of applied sciences in Switzerland and the EEA. You can roughly compare the Berufsmaturität with the Berufsabitur in Germany.
- If you already have a gymnasiale Matura, you may be able to complete a shortened apprenticeship in Switzerland.
- In Switzerland, the vocational qualification is documented in the Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ). This is a professional certificate for vocational learners in Switzerland.
- There is also the Federal Vocational Certificate (Eidgenössisches Berufsattest, EBA). This is the final certificate of a two-year basic vocational training.
- Another special feature in Switzerland is that formal aptitude tests and, in some cases, entrance examinations are often conducted here. Depending on the profession, different skills are tested. The tests are conducted at schools, by the apprenticeship companies themselves, by professional associations or by commercial companies (e.g. Multicheck, Basic-Check, Kompass).
Which companies offer apprenticeships in Switzerland?
Similar to Germany and Austria, Switzerland is also a modern industrial country and has a rich service industry and strong agriculture. You can find many companies offering apprenticeships in Switzerland in all three economic sectors. In addition, you can also do an apprenticeship with the state in Switzerland, for example with federal authorities, with the cantons or in the cities and municipalities.
Comparable to Germany and Austria is also the structure that there are many small and medium-sized enterprises in the Swiss economy (these are companies up to about 500 employees). Here you can find many apprenticeships. However, the large well-known Swiss companies are also looking for trainees. The largest Swiss companies include:
- Glencore International Baar World/Commodities Trading
- Vitol Geneva Petroleum Trading
- Cargill International Geneva World/Commodity Trading
- Mercuria Energy Trading Geneva World/Commodity Trading
- Nestlé Vevey Food
- Roche Holding Basel Chemicals/Pharmaceuticals
- Gunvor Geneva Petroleum Trading
- Novartis Basel Chemicals/Pharmaceuticals
- BHP Billiton Group Baar World/Commodities Trading
- Coop Group Basel conglomerate
- Migros Group Zurich conglomerate
- Debiopharm International Lausanne Chemicals/Pharmaceuticals
- Mediterranean Shipping Company Geneva Logistics/Forwarding
- ABB Zurich Engineering industry
- LafargeHolcim Zug Construction suppliers/elements
- Socar Energy Trading Geneva Oil trading
- Adecco, Glattbrugg, Temporary work
- Kühne + Nagel International, Schindellegi, Logistics/Forwarding
- Varo Energy Holding, Cham, Mineral oil trading
- Tetra Pak International, Pully, conglomerate
Source: Wikipedia.
Questions and answers about training in Switzerland
Which apprenticeships are available in Switzerland?
You can currently learn the following accredited occupations in Switzerland:
- Waterproofing Technician EFZ
- Waterproofing apprentice EBA
- Agricultural trainee EBA
- Agriculture
- Special crops
- Vinification
- Plant and apparatus engineer EFZ
- Plant operator EFZ
- Apparatus glassblower EFZ
- Architectural model maker EFZ
- Health and social assistant EBA
- Optician EFZ
- Automated technician EFZ
- Automatic fitter EFZ
- Automotive assistant EBA
- Automotive specialist EFZ
- Commercial vehicles
- Passenger cars
- Automotive mechatronics technician EFZ
- Commercial Vehicles
- Passenger cars
- Baker-Confectioner EBA
- Bakery confectioner EFZ
- Bakery-Confectionery
- Confectioner-Confectionery
- Construction machinery mechanic EFZ
- Construction worker EBA
- Construction worker EFZ
- Clothing designer EFZ
- Professional and protective clothing
- Ladies’ clothing
- Men’s clothing
- Headwear
- Fur clothing
- Garment seamstress EBA
- Concrete worker EFZ
- Computer scientist EFZ
- Binding technician EFZ
- Craft
- Industry
- Wind instrument maker EFZ
- Wind instrument making
- Wind instrument repair
- Floor parquet layer EFZ
- Parquet
- Textile and elastic coverings
- Boat builder EFZ
- Boat mechanic EFZ
- Bookseller EFZ
- Gunsmith EFZ
- Stage dancer EFZ
- Classical dance
- Musical
- Contemporary dance
- Car body painter EFZ
- Car body repairer EFZ
- Car body painter EFZ
- Chemical and pharmaceutical technician (EBA)
- EFZ chemical and pharmaceutical technologist
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Technology
- Pharmaceutical technology
- Hairdresser EBA
- Hairdresser EFZ
- Roofer EFZ
- Trainee roofer EBA
- Decoration seamstress EBA
- Dental assistant EFZ
- Retail trade assistant EBA
- Automotive After-Sales
- Automobile Sales
- Bakery-Confectionery
- Consumer Electronics
- DIY
- Hardware
- Electrical
- Colors
- Household
- Landi
- Food
- Furniture
- Public transport
- Stationery
- Perfumery
- Jewelry-gemstones-watches
- Shoes
- Toys
- Sporting goods
- Textile
- Pet shop
- Retail trade specialist (support of online stores) EFZ
- Automobile After-Sales, Online-Shops
- Automotive sales, online stores
- Bakery-Confectionery, Online-Shops
- Consumer electronics, online stores
- DIY, online stores
- Hardware, online stores
- Electrical, online stores
- Paints, online stores
- Household, online stores
- Landi, online stores
- Food, online stores
- Furniture, online stores
- Public transport, online stores
- Stationery, online stores
- Perfumery, online stores
- Post office, online stores
- Jewelry-gemstones-watches, online stores
- Shoes, online stores
- Toys, online stores
- Sporting goods, online stores
- Textile, online stores
- Pet stores, online stores
- Retail trade specialist (design of shopping experiences) EFZ
- Automobile after-sales, shopping experiences
- Automobile sales, shopping experiences
- Bakery-Confectionery, shopping experiences
- Consumer electronics, shopping experiences
- DIY, shopping experiences
- Hardware, shopping experiences
- Electrical, shopping experiences
- Paints, shopping experiences
- Household, Shopping experiences
- Landi, Shopping experiences
- Food, Shopping experiences
- Furniture, shopping experience
- Public transport, shopping experiences
- Stationery, Shopping experiences
- Perfumery, Shopping experiences
- Post office, shopping experiences
- Jewelry Gemstones Watches, Shopping Experiences
- Shoes, shopping experience
- Toys, shopping experiences
- Sporting goods, shopping experiences
- Textile, shopping experiences
- Pet shop, shopping experiences
- EFZ druggist
- EFZ printing equipment maker
- EFZ gemstone setter
- Electrician EFZ
- Electronics technician EFZ
- Electrical planner EFZ
- Drainage technician EBA
- Drainage technician EFZ
- Renovation of drainage systems
- Examination of drainage systems
- Maintenance of drainage systems
- Digital business developer EFZ
- Specialist pharmacy EFZ
- Care specialist EFZ
- Generalist training
- Children
- People in old age
- People with disabilities
- Maintenance specialist EFZ
- Housekeeping
- Sports facilities
- Works service
- EFZ – Specialist in Exercise and Health Promotion
- Health specialist EFZ
- Home economics specialist EFZ
- Information and Documentation Specialist EFZ
- Customer Dialogue Specialist EFZ
- Leather and Textile Specialist EFZ
- Vehicles and technology
- Fine leather goods
- Equestrian sports
- Public transport specialist EFZ
- Textile care specialist EFZ
- Textile cleaning
- Laundry
- Bicycle mechanic EFZ
- Vehicle mechanic EFZ
- EFZ facade constructor
- Facade construction technician (EBA)
- Precision optician EFZ
- Meat specialist assistant EBA
- Production and processing
- Preparation and sales
- Meat specialist EFZ
- Delicatessen and refinement
- Extraction
- Processing
- Florist EBA
- Florist EFZ
- Mould maker EFZ
- Mould maker EBA
- Forestry apprentice EBA
- Forestry technician EFZ
- Photographer EFZ
- Photo media specialist EFZ
- Gardener EBA
- Gardening and landscaping
- Plant production
- Gardener EFZ
- Tree nursery
- Gardening and landscaping
- Perennials
- Ornamental plants
- Building computer technician EFZ
- Building automation
- Communication and multimedia
- Planning
- Building cleaner EBA
- Building cleaner EFZ
- Building services planner heating EFZ
- Building services planner ventilation EFZ
- Building services planner sanitary EFZ
- Poultry specialist EFZ
- Organic farming
- Violin maker EFZ
- Market gardener EFZ
- Organic farming
- EFZ Geomatics Technician
- Official surveying
- Geoinformatics
- Cartography
- Scaffolder EFZ
- Scaffolding trainee EBA
- Advertising technology designer EFZ
- Fabric designer EFZ
- Drywall plasterer EFZ
- Trainee plasterer EBA
- Glazier EFZ
- Glass painter EFZ
- Track builder EFZ
- Trainee track builder EBA
- Goldsmith EFZ
- EFZ Graphic Designer
- EFZ Engraver
- Basic builder EFZ
- Basic construction trainee EBA
- Cast molder EFZ
- Permanent molds
- Lost molds
- Casting technician EFZ
- Permanent molds profile E
- Permanent molds profile G
- Foundry pattern making profile E
- Foundry pattern making profile G
- Lost molds profile E
- Lost Molds Profile G
- Home economics apprentice EBA
- Heating installer EFZ
- Heating apprentice EBA
- Woodworker EBA
- Industry
- Factory and construction
- Wood sculptor EFZ
- Wood craftsman EFZ
- Woodturning
- White cooperage
- Wood industry specialist EFZ
- Hearing aid acoustician EFZ
- Hotel specialist EFZ
- Hotel communication specialist EFZ
- Hotel employee EBA
- Farrier EFZ
- ICT specialist EFZ
- Industrial and subfloor constructor EFZ
- Industrial and subfloor construction technician EBA
- Industrial ceramist EFZ
- Building ceramics
- Fine ceramics
- Coarse ceramics
- Carbide production
- Model making
- Technical ceramics
- Industrial painter EFZ
- Industrial upholsterer EFZ
- Computer scientist EFZ
- Application development
- Platform Development
- Interactive Media Designer EFZ
- Insulation plumber EFZ
- Refrigeration assembly technician EBA
- Refrigeration system fitter EFZ
- Commercial refrigeration
- Industrial refrigeration
- Air conditioning refrigeration
- Heat pumps
- Refrigeration system planner EFZ
- Commercial refrigeration
- Industrial refrigeration
- Air conditioning refrigeration
- Heat pumps
- EFZ chimney sweep
- Carrying out air-hygienic and energetic measurements and controls at WTA
- Maintain and clean ventilation systems
- Captain of inland navigation EFZ
- Merchant EBA
- Merchant EFZ
- Automobile trade
- Bank
- Building and housing
- Federal Administration
- Service and Administration Advocacy
- Service and administration
- Health
- Trade
- Hotel-Gastro-Tourism
- International forwarding logistics
- Health and social insurance
- Marketing & Communication
- Machinery, electrical and metal industry
- Food industry
- Notary offices Switzerland
- Public administration
- Private Insurance
- Travel
- Transportation
- Trust/Real Estate
- Ceramist EFZ
- Piano maker EFZ
- EFZ cook
- EFZ designer
- Basket and wickerwork designer EFZ
- Beautician EFZ
- Kitchen employee EBA
- Cooper EFZ
- Plastics apprentice EBA
- Plastics technician EFZ
- Laboratory technician EFZ
- Chemistry
- Paint and varnish
- Textile
- Biology
- Paint assistant EBA
- Car bodywork
- Industry
- Agricultural machinery mechanic EFZ
- Farmer EFZ
- Organic farming
- Food technician EBA
- Food technologist EFZ
- Baked goods
- Beer
- Convenience products
- Meat products
- Beverages
- Chocolate
- Dry goods
- Sugar confectionery
- Logistics technician EBA
- Logistics technician EFZ
- Distribution
- Warehouse
- Transport
- Ventilation system technician EFZ
- Assembly
- Production
- Ventilation system trainee EBA
- Painter EFZ
- Painter apprentice EBA
- Bricklayer EFZ
- Mechanics apprentice EBA
- Media technician EFZ
- Media technician EFZ
- Print media technology
- Screen printing
- Medical practice assistant EFZ
- Medical device technologist EFZ
- Knifemaker EFZ
- Metal worker EFZ
- Metal construction
- Forging
- Steel construction
- Metal construction designer EFZ
- Metal construction trainee EBA
- Micromechanic EFZ
- Décolletage
- Manufacturing and CNC
- Stamping tools/molds
- Micro draughtsman EFZ
- Milk trainee EBA
- Milk technologist EFZ
- Advising customers and selling dairy products
- Carrying out additional analyses
- Managing process-controlled production equipment
- Producing local and regional milk specialties
- Utilizing by-products in the pig fattening process
- EFZ assembly electrician
- EFZ power tool mechanic
- EFZ motorcycle mechanic
- EFZ miller
- Food
- Pet food
- Multimedia electronics technician EFZ
- Audio or video and security technology
- Reception and transmission systems
- Sales and service
- Nautical specialist EFZ
- Cargo shipping
- Passenger shipping
- Grid electrician EFZ
- Energy
- Overhead lines
- Telecommunications
- Surface coater EFZ
- Surface coater EBA
- Anodizing
- Hot-dip galvanizing
- Electroplating
- Surface Finisher EFZ Watches and Jewelry
- CNC
- Haute Horlogerie
- Fruit specialist EFZ
- Organic farming
- Oven maker EFZ
- Organ builder EFZ
- Orthopedic shoemaker EFZ
- Orthopedist EFZ
- Paper technologist EFZ
- Horse specialist EFZ
- Gaited horse riding
- Harness driving
- Classical riding
- Horse care
- Horse racing
- Western riding
- Equine technician EBA
- Paving technician EFZ
- Physics laboratory technician EFZ
- Paving technician EFZ
- Trained panel layer EBA
- Podiatrist EFZ
- Polisseur (EBA)
- 3D Designer EFZ
- Creation
- Realization
- Styling
- Polygraph EFZ
- Polymechanic EFZ
- Profile E
- Profile G
- Print media apprentice EBA
- Sheetfed printing
- Postpress
- Cardboard and packaging
- Web printing
- Screen printing
- Advertising technology
- Production mechanic EFZ
- Quality specialist in microtechnology EFZ
- Interior decorator EFZ
- Recycling technician EFZ
- Tire apprentice EBA
- Restaurant employee EBA
- Restaurant specialist EFZ
- Sanitary fitter EFZ
- Sanitary apprentice EBA
- Carpenter EFZ
- Construction/Windows
- Furniture/interior fittings
- Ski construction
- Wagner
- Carpenter apprentice EBA
- Window construction
- Joinery
- Shoemaker EFZ
- Cableway technician EBA
- Cable car mechatronics EFZ
- Silversmith EFZ
- Tinsmith (EFZ)
- Trainee tinsmith EBA
- Stonemason EFZ
- Building and renovation
- Sculpture
- Design and marble processing
- Industry
- Stonemason EBA
- Blind fitter apprentice EBA
- Blind fitter EFZ
- Road builder EFZ
- Road construction trainee EBA
- Road transport specialist EFZ
- Road transport apprentice EBA
- System catering specialist EFZ
- Textile apprentice EBA
- Manufacturing textile products
- Making up technical textiles
- Textile technologist EFZ
- Design
- Production
- Mechatronics
- Rope and lifting technology
- Finishing
- Theatrical painter EFZ
- EFZ veterinary practice assistant
- Animal keeper EFZ
- Pets
- Laboratory animals
- Wild animals
- Watchmaker EBA
- Equipment (Habillage)
- Regulating
- Assembling
- Watchmaker EFZ
- Industrial methods
- Rhabillage
- Watchmaker production EFZ
- Maintenance apprentice EBA
- Event specialist EFZ
- Gilding and framing EFZ
- EFZ Packaging Printer
- Packaging technician EFZ
- Wine technologist EFZ
- Winemaker EFZ
- Organic farming
- Interior textile designer EFZ
- Dental technician EFZ
- EFZ draftsman
- Architecture
- Civil engineering
- Interior design
- Landscape Architecture
- Spatial planning
- Carpenter EFZ
- Pewter pipe maker EFZ
You can conveniently view online which apprenticeship positions are available in Switzerland.