What qualifications can be obtained with an apprenticeship in Graubünden?

According to the source, apprenticeship in Graubünden is regulated at the federal level by the LFPr and provides for two final qualifications: the AFC (federal certificate of ability), issued after a shorter, more practical two-year course, and the CFC (federal certificate of ability), issued after three or four years with a more in-depth theoretical basis. Those who achieve an AFC may proceed to an abbreviated CFC according to the cantonal equivalence rules.

How does the dual system work in Graubünden?

The source indicates that the apprenticeship takes place in a dual form: three or four days a week in the company and one or two days at the vocational school, plus intercompany courses. The implementation is the responsibility of the Cantonal Office of Vocational Training of Graubünden, which coordinates the offer of traineeships, vocational schools and federal examinations according to federal legal bases.

How much does an apprentice earn in Graubünden?

The remuneration of the apprentice is set on the basis of cantonal recommendations published by the Cantonal Office of Vocational Training of Graubünden and varies by traineeship year and sector. The wage deductions applied follow federal rules: AVS/AI/IPG 5.3% paid by the employee (10.6% total with employer), AD/AC 1.1% up to the annual ceiling, LAINF/LAA between 0.7% and 1.5% depending on the sector.

What is professional maturity and how is it achieved in Graubünden?

The source explains that after obtaining the CFC it is possible to access professional maturity, a title that opens the doors to professional university schools (SUPPL). In the Graubünden the preparation is offered by the cantonal vocational schools, in the form of a course parallel to the third or fourth year (integrated model) or as an additional year after graduation (post-CFC model).

What are the contractual rights of an apprentice in Graubünden?

The apprentice is subject to federal labor legislation: maximum weekly hours of 45 hours in the industrial/office/sales sectors and 50 hours in the other sectors, minimum vacation of four weeks (five for those under 20) and protection against abusive cancellation according to the Code of Obligations. The source specifies that there is no federal minimum wage and in Graubünden there is no cantonal minimum wage.

Where to look for an internship in Graubünden?

The source indicates as main channels the national portal of the professions orientamento.ch, the regional employment offices (URC) active in Graubünden, the cantonal platforms managed by the Vocational Training Office and the direct channels of the training companies. Applications are submitted with standard dossiers (CV, motivation letter, latest school bulletin and summer work certificates).

Apprenticeship in Graubünden: dual path, AFC and CFC (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 31 August 2026

Apprentice working in a craft business in Graubunden

Apprenticeship in Graubünden: dual school-company system regulated by the LFPr, AFC and CFC qualifications, salary and professional maturity to access the SUPPL.

Context

At a glance

Apprenticeship in Switzerland: dual pathway (school + company) regulated at the federal level
Vocational education and training in Graubünden: coordinated offer by the Canton and the Confederation
Vocational baccalaureate: pathway following the apprenticeship for access to universities of applied sciences (FACH)
Apprentice remuneration: set by the Canton/Vocational Education Office, differs by year and sector

Key facts

What: Apprenticeship and vocational education in the Canton of Graubünden
When: current training year (exact dates not specified in the source)
Where: Canton of Graubünden, with reference to the Swiss national framework
Who: Cantonal Office for Vocational Education and Training of Graubünden (name not specified in the source)
How: dual school-company pathway under the VPETA (Federal Act on Vocational Education and Training)
Final qualification: AFC (Federal Certificate of Competence) or CFC (Federal Diploma of VET), depending on duration
Vocational baccalaureate: accessible after the apprenticeship to continue at a university of applied sciences (FACH)

Vocational education and training is the most common post-compulsory pathway in Switzerland, and in the Canton of Graubünden it operates under the same federal legal bases that govern the rest of the country. The VPETA and its related ordinance set the qualifications that can be awarded, the standard durations, and the relationship between vocational school and host company. In the Canton of Graubünden, implementation is the responsibility of the Cantonal Office for Vocational Education and Training, which coordinates the supply of apprenticeship places, vocational schools and federal examinations.

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Operational details

The Swiss dual system offers concrete advantages for both young people and training companies. From the trainee's perspective, the apprenticeship allows earning an income during training, gaining real work experience, and obtaining a federally recognised qualification valued in the labour market. From the companies' perspective, it represents a structured recruitment channel, with contribution relief and the ability to train personnel according to their own needs. In Graubünden, where the economic fabric is characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism, construction, crafts, and public services sectors, the apprenticeship remains one of the main gateways into the working world.

On the economic side, the apprentice's salary is set according to cantonal recommendations, which in Graubünden are published by the Cantonal Office for Vocational Education and Training and vary by apprenticeship year and sector. The remuneration takes into account the fact that the trainee already produces part of the added value within the company while continuing their school education in parallel. The salary deductions applied follow federal rules: OASI/DI/IC 5.3% borne by the employee (10.6% total with employer), unemployment insurance 1.1% up to the annual ceiling, and LAA/UVLA between 0.7% and 1.5% depending on the sector of activity. These contributions are not optional and also apply to apprentices hired under an apprenticeship contract.

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Key points

Obtaining an apprenticeship position in Graubünden requires a structured process. Here are the concrete steps to follow, based on the standard procedures of the Swiss vocational training system.

Step-by-step application procedure

1. Identify the desired profession by consulting the national professions catalogue at orientamento.ch. 2. Prepare an updated CV, a personalised cover letter, and gather your last two school reports. 3. Check the listings published on the Graubünden cantonal portal and contact companies in the field directly. 4. Attend selection interviews bringing, if possible, certificates of internships or summer work experience. 5. Once you have secured a position, sign the apprenticeship contract: the document involves three parties (apprentice, company, and Canton) and specifies the profession, duration, schedule, remuneration, and the rights and duties of the parties. 6. Enrol at the relevant vocational school through the Graubünden Cantonal Office for Vocational Education and Training.

Deadlines and useful documents

Applications for the following training year are typically concentrated between September and February of the preceding year. The Canton publishes annual salary recommendations for apprentices, broken down by apprenticeship year and sector. For updated figures, it is necessary to consult directly the website of the Graubünden Cantonal Office for Vocational Education and Training, as the precise amounts vary from year to year.

For those coming from abroad, it is advisable to also check the permit regime: a non-EU/EFTA foreign apprentice requires a B residence permit issued by the SEM (State Secretariat for Migration), tied to the signing of the apprenticeship contract.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications can be obtained with an apprenticeship in Graubünden?: According to the source, apprenticeship in Graubünden is regulated at the federal level by the LFPr and provides for two final qualifications: the AFC (federal certificate of ability), issued after a shorter, more practical two-year course, and the CFC (federal certificate of ability), issued after three or four years with a more in-depth theoretical basis. Those who achieve an AFC may proceed to an abbreviated CFC according to the cantonal equivalence rules.
How does the dual system work in Graubünden?: The source indicates that the apprenticeship takes place in a dual form: three or four days a week in the company and one or two days at the vocational school, plus intercompany courses. The implementation is the responsibility of the Cantonal Office of Vocational Training of Graubünden, which coordinates the offer of traineeships, vocational schools and federal examinations according to federal legal bases.
How much does an apprentice earn in Graubünden?: The remuneration of the apprentice is set on the basis of cantonal recommendations published by the Cantonal Office of Vocational Training of Graubünden and varies by traineeship year and sector. The wage deductions applied follow federal rules: AVS/AI/IPG 5.3% paid by the employee (10.6% total with employer), AD/AC 1.1% up to the annual ceiling, LAINF/LAA between 0.7% and 1.5% depending on the sector.
What is professional maturity and how is it achieved in Graubünden?: The source explains that after obtaining the CFC it is possible to access professional maturity, a title that opens the doors to professional university schools (SUPPL). In the Graubünden the preparation is offered by the cantonal vocational schools, in the form of a course parallel to the third or fourth year (integrated model) or as an additional year after graduation (post-CFC model).
What are the contractual rights of an apprentice in Graubünden?: The apprentice is subject to federal labor legislation: maximum weekly hours of 45 hours in the industrial/office/sales sectors and 50 hours in the other sectors, minimum vacation of four weeks (five for those under 20) and protection against abusive cancellation according to the Code of Obligations. The source specifies that there is no federal minimum wage and in Graubünden there is no cantonal minimum wage.
Where to look for an internship in Graubünden?: The source indicates as main channels the national portal of the professions orientamento.ch, the regional employment offices (URC) active in Graubünden, the cantonal platforms managed by the Vocational Training Office and the direct channels of the training companies. Applications are submitted with standard dossiers (CV, motivation letter, latest school bulletin and summer work certificates).