Becoming a vocational trainer

VET ordinances and training plans form the basis for training in the approximately 240 apprenticeship occupations; they ensure the quality and relevance of vocational education and training. VET ordinances and training plans define the necessary professional qualifications and competences that apprentices must acquire during their training in order to complete it. They provide detailed apprenticeship plans for each apprenticeship occupation, which serve as a guide for teachers and vocational trainers to plan lessons and ensure that all relevant topics are covered. Finally, they define the requirements for intermediate and final examinations and define the criteria for evaluating and awarding the final certificates.

If a company goes bankrupt or is no longer able to guarantee the training for another reason, the host company, in collaboration with the cantonal authorities, shall ensure, where possible, that the basic VET training that has been started can be completed properly. 

BBG Art. 14 para. 5

The responsible in-company vocational trainers within host companies usually have:

1. a Federal VET Diploma in the field in which they are training or an equivalent qualification,
2. two years of professional experience in the area being taught,
3. a vocational education qualification that they have completed with a federally recognised diploma or certificate.

The requirements for vocational trainers are set out in more detail in the respective VET ordinance.

BBV Art. 44

VET ordinances and training plans are updated periodically. The educational content is usually developed jointly by the relevant professional organisations (POs), the Confederation and the cantons. This is followed by a broad consultation process with professional and specialist associations as well as with the relevant cantonal authorities. 

Apprentices may only be assigned work that is related to the occupation. Apprentices may only be used for other work and piecework insofar as this is related to the occupation to be learned and does not impair the training.

OR Art. 345a para. 4