Planning and carrying out a pre-vocational traineeship

From the 8th school year, it makes sense to gain practical work experience through a pre-vocational traineeship. This allows young people to find out whether they are interested in a particular occupation and can meet the requirements for their chosen occupation. The pre-vocational traineeship also helps companies with the selection process by helping to determine whether the applicant and the company are a good fit.

Legal framework and insurance

The pre-vocational traineeship is subject to specific legal framework conditions. It is important that both the company and the person doing the traineeship are aware of this. Insurance against accidents must be borne by the company, and in the case of longer pre-vocational traineeships, further social security provisions must be taken into account.

In addition, working hours carried out by young people are regulated by law. According to the Employment Act, school-age young people may complete a pre-vocational traineeship from the age of 13. Employment is only permitted on working days and is limited to a maximum of 8 hours per day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Each traineeship may not last longer than two weeks.

The cantons can make employment conditional on a permit or impose a reporting obligation on companies. It is therefore a good idea to check with the relevant cantonal office (e.g. Labour Inspectorate) before undertaking a pre-vocational traineeship.