Supporting measures

Case management, compensation for disadvantages, individual support and fact sheets

Various types of difficulties can arise during training. These may include learning disabilities, personal challenges or social difficulties. This is why there are various supporting measures that can be taken during basic vocational education and training.

Supporting measures

Compensation for disadvantages

Apprentices with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, visual and/or hearing impairments or other impairments may not be disadvantaged during their training and in the qualification process. The term “compensation for disadvantages” refers to specific measures aimed at compensating for any disadvantages.

These measures serve to adapt the training and qualification processes without lowering the standards.

Compensation for disadvantages is usually requested by the host company or vocational school. If there is no apprenticeship contract (e.g. BM2), the apprentices themselves are responsible for applying and must contact a specialist office. Responsibility varies from canton to canton.

eBook: Nachteilsausgleich für Menschen mit Behinderung in der Berufsbildung
Bericht: Nachteilsausgleich - wie ein Begriff Denken und Handeln verändert
Merkblatt 213: Nachteilausgleich
Merkblatt 204: Legasthenie und Dyskalkulie
Empfehlung SBBK: Nachteilausgleich (Mai 2023)

Expert individual support in basic vocational education and training with Federal VET Certificate

Expert individual support (fiB) is offered to apprentices during their two-year basic training. It is used in the case of learning difficulties or social challenges and helps young people to develop their skills in such a way that they can develop both professionally and personally. The cantons have implemented fiB very differently.

SBBK: Fachkundige individuelle Begleitung in der beruflichen Grundbildung mit EBA
SBFI: Fachkundige individuelle Begleitung in der Beruflichen Grundbildung mit EBA

Vocational education and training case management

Vocational training case management is aimed at young people from the 7th school year and those up to the maximum age of 25, whose entry into the professional and working world is seriously at risk. It is primarily aimed at people facing multiple challenging circumstances, such as poor academic performance, health issues, low motivation, behavioural difficulties and little or no support from their parents. Vocational training case management is intended to prevent young people from failing to enter the vocational training and education system or from leaving the system without qualifications. They should be guided towards achieving their initial post-compulsory qualification at upper-secondary level and be integrated into the world of work.

The cantonal support organisations are listed under "Cantonal points of contact ".

Individual proof of competence

Information fact sheet series “Equal Opportunities and Fair Treatment”

The “Equal Opportunities and Fair Treatment” series of fact sheets contains key important information on individual topics such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, bullying and violence, and how to recognise signs at an early stage.

Factsheet 212: Data Protection and Privacy Rights (In German) [PDF, 78.49 KB]download
Factsheet 211: Depression and Suicide Risk (In German) [PDF, 77 KB]download
Factsheet 201: Violence (In German) [PDF, 67.61 KB]download
Factsheet 202: Equal Opportunities (In German) [PDF, 52.41 KB]download
Factsheet 214: Personal Hygiene – Clean Clothing (In German) [PDF, 80.7 KB]download
Factsheet 203: Illness and Accident (In German) [PDF, 88.58 KB]download
Factsheet 204: Dyslexia and Dyscalculia (In German) [PDF, 62.85 KB]download
Factsheet 205: Migration (In German) [PDF, 97.92 KB]download
Factsheet 206: Harassment [PDF, 197.24 KB]download
Factsheet 213: Compensation for Disadvantages for Persons with Disabilities in Vocational Education and Training (In German) [PDF, 67.66 KB]download
Factsheet 207: Racism [PDF, 499.35 KB]download
Factsheet 208: Pregnancy and maternity [PDF, 251.66 KB]download
Factsheet 209: Sexual harassment [PDF, 355.67 KB]download
Factsheet 210: Addiction (In German) [PDF, 62.84 KB]download

Source: Teaser image of the “Supporting measures” page by Rémi Walle via Unsplash

Matching documents

Factsheet 204: Dyslexia and Dyscalculia (In German) [PDF, 62.9 KB]download
Factsheet 211: Depression and Suicide Risk (In German) [PDF, 77.0 KB]download
Factsheet 213: Compensation for Disadvantages for Persons with Disabilities in Vocational Education and Training (In German) [PDF, 67.7 KB]download
SBBK Recommendation: Compensation for Disadvantages (May 2023) (In German) [PDF, 805.2 KB]download
SBBK: Fachkundige individuelle Begleitung in der beruflichen Grundbildung mit EBA [PDF, 46.2 KB]download

News

03.07.2025

New design: Content of factsheets updated, now also in English The factsheets are regularly revised and updated. The revised factsheets now have a new design and are also available in English. The latest revision concerns the following information sheets: Factsheet 206: Harassment Factsheet 209: Sexual harassment…

The factsheets are regularly revised and updated. The revised factsheets now have a new design and are also available in English. The latest revision concerns the following information sheets:

Factsheet 206: Harassment
Factsheet 209: Sexual harassment

The information sheets can be downloaded from the download center.

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Questions and Answers

FAQWhat support do apprentices receive during a two-year basic training course that leads to a Federal VET Certificate? Expand

FAQWhat happens if apprentices have disabilities?

If apprentices are restricted in learning a profession due to a disability, the cantonal Vocational Education and Training Office can grant “disability compensation” at the request of the host company. Compensation for disadvantages (Nachteilsausgleich) is granted in the event of physical disabilities or learning and performance difficulties such as dyslexia (difficulties reading and spelling) if, despite supporting measures such as skills-building courses, the successful completion of the qualification procedure (QV) is called into question.

The cantonal Vocational Education and Training Offices provide information and advice. They also coordinate the specialist agencies and are responsible for granting compensation for disadvantages.

BBG Art. 3, 18, 21; BBV Art. 35

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FAQWhat entitlement do apprentices have to attend supplementary courses?

Supplementary courses provide time-limited additional tuition to help learners to improve their academic performance and close any gaps. They may not exceed half a day per week during working hours.

The vocational school decides together with the host company and the apprentice whether a supplementary course is necessary. Attendance takes place without salary deduction.

BBG Art. 22 para. 4; BBV Art. 20

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FAQWhat entitlement do apprentices have to take optional subjects?

Apprentices can attend free courses for a maximum of one half-day per week (e.g. the preparatory course for the vocational baccalaureate after completing basic education and training (BM2) if they perform satisfactorily at the company and vocational school. Attendance takes place without salary deduction.

In the event of a dispute, the relevant cantonal authority shall decide.

BBG Art. 22 para. 3; BBV Art. 20 para. 1

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Matching glossary entries

GlossaryChange in apprenticeship positionAs a general rule, an apprenticeship contract is signed for the entire duration of the VET programme. However, a change in apprenticeship position may be necessary if: the company’s situation does not enable it to provide apprenticeship training; the…

GlossaryCase management for learners at risk of dropping out of VET programmesCase management is a structured procedure that applies adequate measures to young people whose access to the labour market may be seriously compromised. The target group is comprised of adolescents from the 7th year of schooling (i.e. 9th year of…

GlossaryLevelling out disadvantagesDisabled persons who are enrolled in upper-secondary level vocational education and training (VET) or tertiary-level professional education should not be at a disadvantage in learning, in VET schools, in branch courses and in qualification procedures…

Supporting measures

Case management, compensation for disadvantages, individual support and fact sheets