Completing an apprenticeship

Preparing for the final examination and next steps

“Qualification process” is the generic term for all processes used to determine whether a person possesses the competences defined in the respective Education Ordinance. The qualification process is governed by the Vocational Education and Training Ordinance (BBV) and the Education and Training Ordinance of the respective profession.

The final examination is part of the qualification process and takes place towards the end of vocational education and training. The final examination determines whether the learner has the competencies defined in the education plan.

Registration and fees
The host company is responsible for registering the apprentice for the final examination. The apprentice may not incur any costs or fees for the entire qualification process.

Support measures

Supplementary and free courses

Wherever possible, vocational schools offer supplementary courses to help apprentices who are having difficulties deepening their understanding of the compulsory subjects. Supplementary courses provide time-limited additional tuition to help apprentices catch up on material they may have missed or struggled with at school. These courses may not exceed half a day per week. Those attending supplementary courses are generally not allowed to take any free courses. If the supplementary course takes place during working hours, apprentices are permitted to attend up to half a day per week without any deduction in salary.

There are also free courses available depending on the profession and vocational school. Apprentices can attend free courses for a maximum of one half-day per week (e.g. the preparatory course for the vocational baccalaureate after completion of basic education and training (BM2)). Attendance is permitted without any deduction in salary.

Compensation for disadvantages

Compensation for disadvantages is granted in the case of learning and performance difficulties such as dyslexia (reading and spelling difficulties) or dyscalculia (difficulties with arithmetic) or in the case of physical disabilities if, despite support measures such as support courses, the successful completion of the qualification process is called into question.

The application for compensation for disadvantages must be submitted for assessment at the latest at the time of registration and must contain the required evidence or references from specialists (specialist teachers, doctors, etc.).

How you, as a vocational trainer, can support apprentices

Have regular discussions with the apprentices.
Help apprentices identify the best way to learn and discuss possible ways of doing the examination.
Create a learning and examination preparation plan together.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if anything is unclear.
Provide a variety of practice options (e.g. exams from previous years).
Provide alternative learning aids.
Carry out practical examinations as part of the training in the host company.
Provide opportunities to prepare for the examination at the vocational school.

Preparation also includes keeping a learning diary. The use of the learning diary as a reference for the practical assignment in the final examination is governed by the respective Education Ordinance.

To ensure good preparation, the host company should grant time during working hours without any deductions from wages. It must also provide, if necessary, a place to work, tools and materials for the preparation of the examination paper free of charge.

After the qualification process

Creating an apprenticeship reference

On completion of the basic education and training, apprentices receive a certificate of proficiency or a Federal VET Certificate. They are also entitled to receive a certificate from the host company.

The certificate is issued on the basis of the educational reports that are prepared periodically and discussed with the apprentice. On the basis of these reports, performance, abilities and behaviour can be determined throughout vocational education and training.

Supplementary references for job searches abroad

Supplementary references are additional pieces of documentation issued for vocational education and training qualifications. They contain information on the qualification and help employers in Switzerland and abroad to understand which competencies are associated with the qualification. The supplementary references also indicate the level at which the qualification is classified in the National Qualifications Framework for Vocational Education and Training (NQR) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Holders of a Federal Vocational Baccalaureate Certificate can have a certificate supplement issued. Further information can be found at supplementprof.ch .

Entry into the world of work

Further training and professional development

After completing a two-year basic vocational education and training course, an apprentice can embark on a three- or four-year basic vocational education and training course (which may be shortened depending on the occupational field) and work towards achieving the Federal VET Diploma.

Holders of the Federal VET Diplomacy can:

Immediately afterwards learn a related profession through a shortened vocational education and training course,
Take the Federal Professional Examination, achieve a Federal VET Diploma or a federally recognised diploma from a professional education institute after several years of professional experience at tertiary level,
Complete the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate, which grants admission to universities of applied sciences without having to take an entrance examination (in some cases, an entrance examination must be passed).

Final examination not passed – what next?

If an apprentice fails an examination which is possible to appeal, the competent cantonal authority notifies them of this in a special letter (or the grade certificate). The apprentice receives the examination result, information on how to retake the examination and any possible legal recourse. The cantonal authority is available to the candidates to answer any questions they may have.

The final examination can be repeated twice. Retakes are typically conducted during the next scheduled examination period. Some vocational schools offer specific preparatory courses for this purpose. Previously passed qualification areas do not have to be repeated, subject to stricter requirements in the respective Education Ordinance. If desired, the entire examination can also be retaken. In this case, only the grades from the last exam are taken into account, regardless of the result obtained.