Managing absences

Managing vocational trainer and apprentice absences

Apprentice absences

When apprentices are absent from the company during school periods, inter-company courses and holidays. these absences are recorded in the individual vocational training plan.

Absences that occur in order to fulfil legal obligations, due to illness or accident, as well as youth leave and other reasons are permitted. The duration depends on the circumstances and is based on the contract, collective employment agreement, standard employment agreement, company regulations, local, company or industry rules. There is no general statutory obligation to continue paying wages during the period of absence. As a rule, however, no deductions may be made from the monthly salary.

Managing the various types of absences

Vocational school, inter-company courses, vocational baccalaureate courses

Holidays, youth leave and other absences

Young people up to the age of 20 are entitled to five weeks of paid leave, of which two consecutive weeks must be taken at least once a year. For unpaid youth work in a caring, advisory or managerial role, an additional week per year of apprenticeship can be applied for. Youth leave is generally unpaid. The host can agree remuneration with the trainees (Art. 329e CO ).

Absences can also be due to other reasons: Marriage, death of a family member, change of residence, visit to a doctor or dentist. These absences must also be granted.

Leaflet 04: Merkblatt 04: Holiday entitlement for apprentices in vocational education and training Ferienregelung für Lernende in der beruflichen Grundbildung

Illness and accident

If apprentices are ill, they must report this immediately to the training company. A medical certificate can be requested from the first day of illness, but this is usually only recommended from the third day. Apprentices cannot be obliged to make up for the working hours missed due to illness or accident.

If apprentices are unable to attend school due to illness or accident, they must report this to the school.

If apprentices are ill for a long period or are absent for a longer period due to an accident, which jeopardises achieving the qualification, the vocational education and training programme can be extended by submitting a request to the cantonal authority. If the final examination has not been passed (or before this time), host companies can agree with the apprentice to extend the initial vocational education and training. The agreement must be submitted in writing to the vocational education and training office. Without this official approval, the apprenticeship contract is not deemed to have been extended, but rather as an ordinary employment contract.

If apprentices are unable to take the final examination due to illness or accident, they must prove this to the examining authority by means of a medical certificate. Apprentices are usually given the opportunity to take the exam after recovery. The procedures are set out in the corresponding instructions issued by the examination authorities.

Leaflet 203: Merkblatt 203: Illness and accident Krankheit und Unfall

Vocational trainer absences

If the in-company trainers are absent, they can also appoint specialists from the company to teach the apprentices elements of their professional practice. A skilled worker is considered to be someone who has completed basic vocational education and training in the apprentice’s area of training or has an equivalent qualification. In this case, too, responsibility remains with the vocational trainers.

The total percentage of all in-company vocational trainers determines the maximum number of apprentices and is specified in the apprenticeship contract. The maximum number of apprentices is defined in the education ordinances of the respective professions.