Apprenticeship in Switzerland: contracts, salary and maturity

Context

In brief

• Apprenticeship lasts 3-4 years and combines practical work and school education
• AVS/AI contributions: 5.3% for the apprentice (10.6% for employer)
• Minimum holidays: 4 weeks (5 under 20 years old)
• Federal contract: the same rights in every Swiss canton

Key facts

• What: Dual education system that alternates practical work and vocational school
• Where: All Swiss cantons, including Basel-Landschaft
• Who: Young people from 15 years old and up
• Duration: 3-4 years depending on the professional field
• Mandatory contributions: AVS/AI 5.3% (employee), 10.6% (employer)
• Maximum hours: 45 hours/week (industry, offices, sales) or 50 in other sectors

Apprenticeship is the heart of the Swiss vocational education system. It represents a path combining education and work: the student spends approximately 3-4 days a week in the company and one-two days in vocational school. In the canton of Basel-Landschaft, as in other cantons, the system follows uniform federal rules that define rights, duties and protections for anyone undertaking this path.

The apprenticeship contract is the fundamental document. Regulated by federal law, it must contain the company's data, the apprentice's details, the professional sector, the start date, the total duration, the weekly hours and the remuneration. Once signed by the company and apprentice (with parents or whoever exercises parental authority, if a minor), the contract acquires legal validity.

Working hours must not exceed 45 hours per week in industry, offices and sales, or 50 hours in other sectors. The apprentice is entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks of annual holidays — 5 weeks if under 20. These protections are guaranteed by federal law and apply uniformly in all cantons.

How the remuneration system works

The apprentice's remuneration is established in the apprenticeship contract. There is no federal minimum wage, although many cantons have defined regional ones and several sectors have collective agreements. During the salary, the apprentice automatically pays 5.3% of AVS/AI contributions (the employer adds 10.6% to their account). Additionally, 1.1% up to the annual limit goes to unemployment insurance (UIC/UCA).

Accident insurance (LAINF/LAI) ranges between 0.7% and 1.5% depending on the sector of activity and is covered by the employer. The LPP pension system (second pillar) usually does not apply to apprentices, as the remuneration is often below the coordination threshold. With the salary calculator online it is possible to estimate net and charges on a hypothetical remuneration.

Operational details

Rights and protections during training

The traineeship contract must be filed with the competent cantonal office — in the canton of Basel-Country with the Vocational Training Office. The apprentice always receives a signed copy of the contract. If during the probationary period (usually 1-3 months) incompatibilities arise between the young person and the employer, the contract may be terminated with 1 week's notice by both parties.

After the probationary period, cancellation times are tightened: 1 month in the first year of apprenticeship, 2 months from the second to the ninth year, 3 months from the tenth year onwards. These times are established by federal law and apply in each canton.

Social contributions represent an important voice for those who hire an apprentice. On the one hand, the young person sees 5.3% of AVS/AI and 1.1% of AD/AC deducted from his net; on the other, the employer pays 10.6% of AVS/AI, 1.1% of AD/AC and the cost of LAINF/LAA accident insurance (0.7%-1.5% depending on the sector). All these payments are mandatory by federal law and identical in each canton.

Health insurance and taxes

Health insurance (LAMal/KVG) is mandatory for anyone residing in Switzerland. The apprentice must stipulate it within 3 months of the start of the training. Premiums are determined by canton and tariff region; the canton Basel-Country has its own tariffs. Adult deductibles range from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 depending on plan

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

Professional Maturity: Additional Qualification

Professional maturity is an additional qualification that apprentices can obtain in parallel with their apprenticeship or immediately after its conclusion. It consists of theoretical lessons in general subjects — languages, mathematics, history, economics, sciences — along with the practical training in the company. At the end of the apprenticeship, the young person obtains both the certificate of competence (AFC, federal apprenticeship diploma) and, if they have attended the mandatory courses, the professional maturity certificate.

Professional maturity is recognized at the federal level and is a privileged gateway to access professional university schools (SUP). Many cantons, including Basel-Landschaft, offer maturity courses at ordinary professional schools. The cost is usually free or minimal for the apprentice; the school is financed by the canton itself. Completing professional maturity simultaneously with the apprenticeship requires organization, but allows for further qualification without extending the overall training time.

How to Find and Start an Apprenticeship

Searching for an apprenticeship position takes place mainly through national and regional job advertisement portals, the local employment office, direct contacts with companies in the field of interest, and school orientation fairs. Once a potential employer is found, the negotiation of the apprenticeship contract proceeds.

Before signing, it is essential to verify that the document contains: the name and address of the company, the name and date of birth of the apprentice, the professional branch, start date, total duration in years, declared weekly hours, monthly or annual remuneration and payment methods. The cantonal professional education office of Basel-Landschaft can provide advice on contractual standards and minimum rights.

Next Steps

To navigate the world of apprenticeships and estimate your net salary after contributions and taxes, use the salary calculator. To search for apprenticeship offers in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, access specialized job board portals, which allow you to filter by region, sector, and type of training. If you have questions about contracts, rights, hours, or contributions during the apprenticeship, the cantonal professional education office remains the main reference.