Parent's guide
Understand the Swiss apprenticeship system — and how to support your teen.
Questions? Start with the FAQ
Short answers to what parents ask most: how apprenticeships and full-time schools work, how teens choose, where to get free advice and how to prepare applications. Searchable in every language.
Go to the FAQApprenticeships by the numbers
In Switzerland the apprenticeship is the mainstream route, not a fallback. About two thirds of young people start vocational training after compulsory school, and the system is designed so that no qualification is a dead end.
~2 in 3
of school leavers begin an apprenticeship (EFZ or EBA)
~1 in 4
go to a Gymnasium and aim for university
240+
recognised professions to choose from
Under 3%
youth unemployment — among the lowest in the world
Where the apprenticeship route can lead
With higher vocational education (Berufsprüfung, höhere Fachschule) or a vocational baccalaureate plus a university of applied sciences, apprenticeship graduates reach senior, well-paid and highly respected positions.
- IT project lead or software engineer (via IT apprenticeship + BM + FH)
- Site manager / Bauführer and construction company owner
- Master electrician or plumber with their own business
- Bank relationship manager and financial adviser
- Nurse with a specialist qualification (anaesthesia, intensive care)
- Chef de cuisine and restaurant owner
- Polymechanic turned production or plant manager
Many Swiss executives, and even federal politicians, began with an apprenticeship.
The Importance of Middle School
Middle school: SEC and REAL streams
In the last years of compulsory school (lower secondary, Sek I, usually years 7–9), pupils in German-speaking cantons are placed in different streams for the core subjects — German, maths and often French/English. Names vary by canton: Sek A / Sek B / Sek C in Zurich, Sekundarschule and Realschule elsewhere, Niveau A/E/G or P/S/B in others. French-speaking cantons use VP/VG, Ticino uses corsi attitudinali/base.
Taster apprenticeships (Schnupperlehre)
A taster apprenticeship is a short unpaid stay in a company where your teen works alongside the team. It is the single most important step towards an apprenticeship contract: many companies only hire apprentices they have met on a taster.
How do apprenticeships work?
Vocational training combines three places of learning: the host company (3–4 days/week), vocational school (1–2 days) and inter-company courses. It ends with the Federal VET Diploma (EFZ, 3–4 years) or the Federal VET Certificate (EBA, 2 years).
How long
EFZ 3–4 years, EBA 2 years
To graduate
Pass the qualification procedure: practical work, professional knowledge exam, general education exam and school grades.
EFZ vs. EBA
EFZ: EFZ (3–4 years): more demanding, broad curriculum, opens higher VET and (with vocational baccalaureate) universities of applied sciences.
EBA: EBA (2 years): hands-on with strong support. Bridging into an EFZ is possible (often shortened).
How long
EFZ 3–4 years · EBA 2 years
To graduate
Both end with a federal exam. EFZ requires a higher pass level across school and practice; EBA is assessed more narrowly on core practical skills.
Vocational baccalaureate (BM)
The BM can be done during the apprenticeship (BM1) or after (BM2). It opens the door to a university of applied sciences. Via the Passerelle exam, even universities/ETH become accessible.
How long
BM1 alongside the apprenticeship · BM2 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time after it
To graduate
Pass the vocational baccalaureate exams in the chosen orientation, plus an interdisciplinary project work.
Apprentice wages
Apprentice wages recognise the work done — they're not a full salary. They rise each year and vary widely by sector.
How long
Paid every year of the apprenticeship
How often paid
Monthly, usually with the company's regular payroll.
Tax situation
Most apprentices earn below the cantonal tax-free threshold, so they often pay little or no income tax. They still pay AHV and other social contributions from their wage, and any taxable income must be declared.
Full-time school options
Not every teenager takes the apprenticeship route. These are the full-time schools at upper-secondary level — how long they take, what it takes to finish and where to read more.
Gymnasium / Gymnase-Collège / Liceo / Gymnasi
The academic route: broad general education with a specialist profile, for teens who enjoy studying and are aiming at university.
FMS / ECG — specialised school
General education with a professional focus: health, social work, education, art or communication, including practical placements.
Commercial and IT middle schools (HMS/WMS, IMS)
The school-based version of the commercial or IT apprenticeship: lessons plus a long internship under one roof.
Full-time vocational schools (Lehrwerkstätten)
The trade is learned in a school workshop instead of a host company — mechanics, electronics, watchmaking, IT, design and crafts.
Transition and bridge programmes
A 10th school year, preparatory or integration courses for teens who need another year to choose, improve grades or learn the language.
How to support your teen
- Talk early and often about what your teen enjoys and is good at — not only about what they “should” doTake the pathway quiz together
- Encourage several taster apprenticeships (usually 1–5 days each)How to find a taster place
- Visit the cantonal career counselling service (BIZ / OSP) together — it's freeCareer-guidance links
- Explore professions together, including ones neither of you has heard ofBrowse professions
- Look at full-time schools too, and go to open days togetherFull-time school options
- Know the timeline: places for August are advertised from the August before, and popular ones fill earlyApprenticeship timeline
- Help with the application file — CV, letter and school reports — but let your teen write it in their own wordsCV and letter tips
- Practise interviews at home: ask the questions and give honest, kind feedbackInterview roulette
- Keep an eye on grades in German, maths and languages — companies and schools look at themMiddle-school streams
- Treat rejections as normal: help your teen ask for feedback and keep applyingDealing with setbacks
Frequently asked questions
Questions parents often ask about apprenticeships, full-time schools and the choice in between. Tap a question to see the answer.