The best apprenticeship companies in Switzerland 2017

In a study on the topic of training and workplace culture, Great Place to Work® surveyed apprentices in Switzerland. With this study and the new "Great Place to Start" certification, Great Place to Work Switzerland would like to support training companies in analyzing their strengths and areas for development, give them suggestions for further development, and create recognition for the good training companies. Together with the feedback of the apprentices and the evaluation of the training concept, the quality of training in Switzerland can thus be further increased and the skilled workers of the future will get a good start in their careers.

These are the best training companies

Of the 15 companies that took part in the study in the pilot year, five receive the award as "Best Apprenticeship Companies in Switzerland":

• login Berufsbildung AG (1910 apprentices)
• Allianz Suisse (65 apprentices)
• Graubündner Kantonalbank (42 apprentices)
• LIDL Switzerland (37 apprentices)
• 100pro! vocational training liechtenstein (25 apprentices)

Among the award-winning training companies, 87% of the apprentices agree with the statement "All in all, I can say this is a very good training place". The best training companies in Switzerland are characterized by a trusting and motivating workplace culture. Further information on the winners can be found at http://www.greatplacetostart.ch.

Now the learners have the floor

Every year, tens of thousands of young people start out in the working world. They ask themselves which profession suits their interests, where they can get good training and development prospects, and which companies are good employers. The new "Best Apprenticeship Companies in Switzerland" certification recognizes companies whose training culture is exceptional and about which apprentices say: here is a Great Place to Start. "I feel like I'm a real employee and not just an apprentice. That makes it fun. Besides, I like it when I get recognition for my work," reports one apprentice about his training company. The fact that joy and pride in one's job, experiencing and being accepted as a fully-fledged employee should begin during training is a "must-have" during the training period for Florian Manz, the director of studies. "A trusting working atmosphere, the competence of the vocational trainers and the experience of appreciation are important criteria for the job satisfaction of young career starters."

Major differences in the comparison between award-winning and non-award-winning companies can be seen in the way complaints are handled, in the experience of pride in the training company and in the perception that everyone is pulling together. In the non-award-winning companies, an average of only 47% would like to stay with the company after completing their training and only 48% would recommend the company to their friends as a training company. Among the award-winning companies, 80% are proud of their place of work and would recommend it to their friends.

At all participating companies, the apprentices would also like to be more involved in decisions that affect them or their working environment. At login Berufsbildung AG, one of the award-winning companies, this is taken into account: "As an education partner of SBB, BLS, RhB, VöV and around 50 other companies in the world of transport, we attach particular importance to ensuring that apprentices develop into sought-after junior employees during their training and are able to take on responsibility at an early stage. For example, our apprentices work in junior teams where they independently manage a workshop, an area or a station. In the process, they are accompanied by a coach. The opportunity to take responsibility, find solutions and learn new things every day is something our apprentices really appreciate," explains Michael Schweizer, Managing Director of login Berufsbildung AG.

Recommended by learners

With "Great Place to Start - the award for the best apprenticeship companies in Switzerland - an initiative was launched to further strengthen the good training and workplace culture in Switzerland. Companies receive feedback on their strengths and areas of focus from the survey of their trainees. The exchange of good ideas is encouraged and the best training companies receive the recognition they deserve in the form of a Great Place to Start award.

The certification is based on feedback from the learners. A 28-question questionnaire is used to assess their experience of the training culture: professional support and personal perception as well as appreciation, respectful and fair treatment, team spirit, and much more. In addition to the survey, the training concept is also evaluated. By describing and documenting the measures, processes and tools used, the foundations of an excellent training culture are analyzed. At Great Place to Start, all learners are surveyed - because they provide the most credible assessment for other young job seekers. For interested applicants, the direct assessment of learners in a training company is a credible and valuable orientation. At the same time, learners can give companies direct and helpful feedback on their training work.

The award

The "Best Training Companies in Switzerland" award is not a competition that results in a ranking, but a certification process. All companies that meet the minimum criteria in the apprentice survey and in the training concept receive the award. "Participation in the award is possible for training companies in all sectors that employ at least 10 learners, regardless of the apprenticeship year. The certificate is issued after completion of the survey and evaluation of the training concept," says study director Manz.

An event on October 10 will offer exciting insights into the world of target group-oriented employer branding. Presentations, networking and discussions will show how the award "Best Training Companies in Switzerland" can be achieved and how learners and employees can be placed at the center of corporate communications as authentic ambassadors.

Free registration at: Employer branding for training companies