Vocational education and training

Swico provides interested companies with initial information, including an overview of the various vocational education and training options (e.g. a basic training year and a training company network) and a list of relevant contacts. This information can help a company launch vocational training and contribute to tackling the shortage of IT specialists.

Members can also find fact sheets and checklists in the protected area.

Initial vocational education and training

Under an apprenticeship contract, the employer undertakes to provide the apprentice with proper training in a specific occupation, while the apprentice undertakes to work in return. The contractual relationship is largely governed by public law and is regulated in greater detail than a standard employment contract.

Unlike a standard employment contract, an apprenticeship contract is subject to cantonal supervision and must be approved by the cantonal vocational education and training office. The office also ensures compliance with the apprenticeship contract and statutory provisions. The apprenticeship contract is for a fixed term and may be terminated only under very specific conditions. The cantonal vocational education and training office must be informed.

A company wishing to offer vocational training must have a valid training authorisation. It can apply for this authorisation using the “Training Authorisation Application” form submitted to the cantonal vocational education and training office. Once authorisation has been granted, the company must appoint a vocational trainer, who must generally have completed 40 hours of training (approximately five days). Companies offering apprenticeships must comply with statutory provisions intended to protect and ensure the safety of young people and apprentices.

Training company network and basic training year

Not every ICT company has the resources to provide comprehensive training in accordance with the training plan. Joining a training company network or having an apprentice complete a basic training year offers businesses an attractive option that enables almost any company to train apprentices.

• Several specialised training companies can join together in a training company network to provide comprehensive training (Art. 6 et seq. BBV). One company takes on the role of lead company. It serves as the link between the participating companies and signs the apprenticeship contract with the apprentice. Apprentices are trained at different companies in the network (the rotation principle). This enables them to acquire the expected professional, methodological, social and personal skills.
• Alternatively, apprentices may complete their first year of training at a training centre as a basic training year and acquire their initial practical skills before officially starting work. Feedback from some members suggests that apprentices are quite well prepared for work at the company after completing this foundation year. It does not replace the vocational school programme that accompanies the apprenticeship, but supplements it. The contractual arrangements between apprentices, training companies and the training centre offering the basic training year vary considerably. Vocational training centres support companies starting to train apprentices and help them find suitable candidates. Interested companies can contact vocational training centres that offer a basic training year directly (see list below).

Higher professional education

After completing their initial vocational education and training, graduates can progress to higher professional education qualifications (Federal Diploma of Higher Education [EFA], Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education [ED], or a college of higher education [HF]) or, with a vocational baccalaureate, to university (BSc, MSc).