Apprentices are to be better protected from losing their jobs during the coronavirus crisis, Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has announced.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/Tages-Anzeiger/swissinfo,ch/ilj
Around two-thirds of young people take the vocational route in Switzerland and spring/summer is a critical time. School leavers are looking for and signing contracts to start apprenticeships in late summer. At the same time, a batch of trainees will be finishing their 2-4 year-long apprenticeships and moving into the work market.
But the Swiss economy has been impacted severely by the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, leading to fears of fewer apprenticeships – and follow-on jobs – being available.
Companies on short-term work – a measure introduced to avoid redundancies that involves temporarily reducing staff working hours – are normally not allowed to hire extra staff, Parmelin said. But the government has made an exception for those about to finish their training, who will be allowed to stay on an extra year in their training companies.
It’s currently very quiet on the apprenticeship market, Parmelin said. In German-speaking Switzerland, almost the same number of training contracts had been signed by the end of April as last year. But in the French-speaking part of the country, the situation is more worrying. Only 40% of apprenticeship contracts have been signed so far compared with last year.
These differences are partly down to the fact that contracts are generally signed earlier in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, so many were already finalised before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
There will be extra funds available for young people who have not been able to find an apprenticeship, Parmelin said.
“So we won’t be subsidising apprenticeships in a direct way, but we will support cantonal and business organisations’ projects, for things like coaching and mentoring. These are things that work,” Parmelin said.
Importance of apprenticeships
The announcement is the latest in a series of measures taken by the government: it created a task force on apprenticeships in early May to expressly deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Two studies published in May have also pointed to the longer-term effects of the crisis on apprenticeships, with one expecting a larger rise in youth unemployment this summer.
The country’s much admired dual-track apprenticeship systemExternal link sees young people combine on-the-job training with lessons in a vocational school, producing a well-qualified workforce. It is considered one of Switzerland’s economic success factors.
More
More
Are apprenticeships undergoing a ‘corona shock’?
This content was published on
Concerns raised that the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting apprenticeships in Switzerland.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
This content was published on
Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
This content was published on
Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
This content was published on
2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
Swiss CFOs much more optimistic despite global uncertainty
This content was published on
The main concerns of business leaders in Switzerland are geopolitical uncertainty and the important trading partners Germany and China.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
This content was published on
More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
This content was published on
Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
UN interns feel ‘left behind’ amid coronavirus pandemic
This content was published on
Interns at United Nations agencies say their precarious work situation has been exacerbated with the outbreak of the virus.
Solution found for apprentice exams amid coronavirus interruptions
This content was published on
Thousands of young apprentices will receive their final certificate and be able to enter the job market this summer despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Why Switzerland’s dual-track education system is unique
This content was published on
Young people used to be faced with making a definitive career choice aged 15 in Switzerland. But nowadays they can change direction later on.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.