“An apprenticeship opens lots of doors”

What’s it like doing an apprenticeship to become an electrician with the federal VET diploma at the age of almost 40 despite already holding a degree from Syria?

The standards in the electrical industry, particularly concerning fire detection, aren’t the same in Syria as they are here. That’s why I need to update my knowledge. I also don’t speak French well enough yet to get a job. I could have done a shortened form of apprenticeship as I already had good knowledge of the subject, but I opted for the four-year programme to gain as much knowledge and experience as I could.

What are the major differences between training in Syria and Switzerland?

Swiss apprenticeships provide an excellent training opportunity. You learn the theory in class and then apply it directly at the company - it’s not like that in Syria where there’s no link to a real working environment.

Is the training challenging?

Initially, I found it tough because of the language barrier and I didn’t always understand everything. But I’m quite friendly and enjoy chatting to people. But now it’s all going really well and I help out younger colleagues who find some topics difficult.

What are your plans for the future?

I’d really like to continue working for Micarna. Everyone is really friendly and welcoming. It’s a much more pleasant working environment than on the building sites. I’m generally quite positive because a federal VET diploma opens up many doors and there’s a shortage of electricians in Switzerland. That’s why I’d encourage all asylum seekers to continue training or education.