“All doors are open to you after an apprenticeship”

Karin Nietlisbach, many people are currently in the throes of searching for an apprenticeship. How realistic is it for young people to think that they can still land their dream placement?

In terms of timing, extremely. Apprenticeships are usually advertised from August onwards in German-speaking Switzerland, and often later in French-speaking areas. The important thing is for young people to know their personal and academic strengths and weaknesses and realistically assess their chances of finding a particular apprenticeship.

What role do school grades play?

In some training courses, like computer science, good marks are essential. This certainly also applies if you’re aiming for a federal vocational baccalaureate. However, good social and personal skills are at least as important.

What else determines whether you get an apprenticeship?

Ultimately, there are many pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that together form a decisive overall picture. This includes, for example, a well-prepared and complete application, positive feedback from taster sessions and how you present yourself at interview. Young people who are clearly interested in a profession and are curious are also viewed favourably.

We’ve recently been reading a lot about Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012). Among other things, it is said that they expect too much of the world of work. Is there any truth in that?

It’s true that they want more of a say and can vocalise this too. Nevertheless, we also notice that young people need to be given good support on their journey.

Does this make it harder for companies to find motivated apprentices?

Not in principle. The vocational reforms in the retail and commercial sectors, for example, are aimed at this precise issue: the aim is for apprentices to be able to take on more responsibility from the outset. However, it’s still challenging to get apprentices enthusiastic about apprenticeships. The figures show that more and more young people are attending secondary or baccalaureate schools.

Why is that?

I don’t think that many people realise the exciting opportunities and diverse prospects that vocational training offers.

Namely?

The biggest advantage of an apprenticeship is the practical experience. Apprentices acquire their skills in a working environment and can apply their academic knowledge directly. Because our education system is very permeable, all doors are open to you afterwards. As a result, even if you don’t find your dream apprenticeship straight away, anything is possible afterwards. Even doing a degree.