Selecting apprentices

Ensuring a fair and transparent selection process

The careful recruitment of apprentices is an important step in the success of any host company and the professional development of the apprentice. A transparent, fair and well-thought-out selection procedure ensures that the needs of both the company and the applicants are optimally taken into account.

Recommendations for host companies:

  • Create transparency: Provide information on your website about the number of vacant apprenticeships, the desired company-specific requirements profile, the selection process and the required application documents to be submitted.
  • Involvement of vocational trainers: Involve those who will later work with the apprentices during the selection process.
  • Fairness and openness: An open and fair selection process improves the image of your company and encourages applicants to feel more motivated.

Selection process checklist

Preparation
Advertise apprenticeship position
Application assessment
Interviews
Trial apprenticeship
Decision-making
Apprenticeship contract
Start of basic vocational education and training (VET training)

Selection folder

The “Selection folder” form, issued by the SDBB, serves as an interview tool and as a place to save files. The questionnaire in the selection folder structures the interview according to a logical sequence. If all applicants are interviewed using this questionnaire, the in-company trainers have a systematic basis for making their decision, which allows for an objective comparison and, at the same time, provides well-founded reasons for accepting or rejecting a candidate. This simplifies the selection process for the host companies and saves time for the vocational trainers. Users can customise the tool to suit their preferences.

Selection records: form interactive [PDF, 589 KB]download

Useful Documents

Selection records: explanations [PDF, 27.2 KB]download
Selection records: form interactive [PDF, 589.0 KB]download