Büttiker originally trained as a broadcast technician, but was working as a production manager when he lost his job. He realised that years of work experience weren’t as useful as he might have hoped in helping him find a new job, as he didn’t have a diploma which officially recognised the skills he had accumulated in the workplace.
As part of a project set up by canton Solothurn, he was able to work for a new company for a three-month trial period, which led to permanent employment. Instead of wages, he received a daily allowance from the unemployment insurance scheme during his trial period.
The over-50s in Switzerland particularly struggle to find a new position if they become unemployed. Although they have years of experience, younger applicants have a different education and other skills. Some job advertisements in Switzerland even specify which age-range the company sees as desirable for the position, and often that can exclude older workers.
More
More
How to do an apprenticeship when you are over 40
This content was published on
It’s still quite rare, but people can change career and start an apprenticeship in their 40s or 50s.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss apprenticeships, now in English
This content was published on
The apprenticeships are being offered in the central Swiss canton of Zug, home to the headquarters of many international firms. Roche Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson and Glencore are among the multinationals collaborating with the vocational educational company, Bildxzug, which is paid to organise the training. The apprenticeship system offers a combination of practical office experience…
US signs up to learn how Swiss apprenticeships work
This content was published on
“You [Switzerland] have an unemployment level that is among the lowest in the world, and that is a tribute to your model,” US Secretary of Labour Thomas Perez told swissinfo.ch. Perez had just joined Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann in meeting apprentices at CSL Behring, a biotherapeutics company in Bern. Over 1,300 staff are employed…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.