What is the average salary of an apprentice in the Canton of St. Gallen?

There is no Swiss federal minimum wage; the Canton of St. Gallen sets the minimum wage for each profession and for each year of training. In the first year it is generally lower than in subsequent years. The exact figures vary depending on the specialty chosen. For compensation specific to your profession, please consult the official website of the cantonal administration or contact the Training Office directly. Our salary calculator can help you estimate the net based on gross salary and deductions (AVS, AI, cantonal and municipal taxes, LAMal).

Am I entitled to the holiday as an apprentice?

Yes. Swiss federal law guarantees a minimum of four weeks of annual leave to all workers, including apprentices. If you are under twenty, you are entitled to five weeks. The dates are agreed between the company and the apprentice, but they cannot all be concentrated in one season. The right to holidays is guaranteed by federal regulations and applied by the Canton of St. Gallen.

What happens if I have to terminate the apprenticeship contract?

In the first two years, the cancellation period is one month. From the third year onwards, it becomes two months. Both parties (apprentice and company) may terminate the contract with written notice. Summary dismissals (without notice) are only possible for serious breaches of contract (e.g. acts of dishonesty, repeated breaches of security rules). Consult your contract for specific conditions and contact the Cantonal Labour Office if you have any doubts about the procedure.

Can I continue to university after the apprenticeship?

Yes, two main routes. First: complete the vocational training certificate (CFC) and then the professional maturity (1-2 additional years), which opens access to university vocational schools (sup/Fachhochschulen). Second: to obtain the ordinary degree in parallel (at professional schools that offer it) to access traditional universities. Vocational and cantonal schools can advise you on the best path based on your achievements and career goals.

I am an Italian border worker: can I find an apprenticeship in the Canton of St. Gallen?

Yes, EU/EFTA citizens (including Italians) can carry out apprenticeship in Switzerland with work permit B (residence). The parents or the adult candidate must start the practice at the cantonal office of migration. Wage and contractual rights are identical to those of Swiss citizens. We recommend that you contact the Cantonal Office for Foreigners (SEM) to clarify the authorisation process before applying for positions.

Apprenticeship and Vocational Training St. Gallen (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 30 August 2026

Panoramic view of Lugano representing the Swiss vocational training environment

Practical guide to apprenticeship in the Canton of St. Gallen: internship contract, salary, holidays, rights and procedure to find a place according to Swiss federal rules.

Context

In a nutshell

Dual training: vocational school + practical work for 3-4 years
No federal minimum wage; the Canton of St. Gallen sets the minimum wage
Guaranteed rights: maximum 45 hours/week, minimum 4 weeks annual leave
Professional Maturity opens access to university vocational schools (SUPs)

Key facts

What: Dual system combining theory (school) and practice (company)
When: Duration 3-4 years, generally 15 to 20 years of age
Where: Canton of St. Gallen, vocational schools and partner companies in the area
Who: Candidates with a medium degree; coordination of the cantonal training office and companies
Rights: Salary, holidays, protection according to Swiss federal labour laws

Swiss apprenticeship is an internationally recognised dual training system. The Canton of St. Gallen adheres to the federal model that alternates theoretical education at a vocational school and direct practice in the company. The duration varies between three and four years, depending on the chosen profession.

How the internship contract works

The apprenticeship contract is governed by federal labour law. Defines roles, obligations, duration and compensation. The company, the apprentice (or parents/guardians if underage) and the vocational school sign the contract before the start. In Switzerland there is no federal minimum wage: it is the Canton of St. Gallen that sets the minimum remuneration for apprentices, which varies according to the

Operational details

How to find an internship in St. Gallen

The search for an apprenticeship generally begins during the last years of middle school. In the Canton of St. Gallen, the main tool is the cantonal portal of internship announcements, accessible from the administration website. Check out our portale di ricerca annunci for open internship positions in St. Gallen. Local companies publish available places with the educational requirements, personal skills and specialties required. You can also contact interesting companies directly by sending a resume and cover letter.

Swiss vocational schools organise orientation days and workshops with companies. In St. Gallen, the Educational and Vocational Guidance Offices (OSPs) offer personalised counselling, aptitude tests and information on available professions. Participating in orientation fairs and trial internships is further recommended to learn about the industry.

Most in-demand professions and alternative pathways

The technical (mechanics, electrical engineering, construction) and tertiary professions (sales, administration, health) remain among the most in demand in the Canton of St. Gallen. Each profession has its own competency profile and training duration set at the federal level.

After the vocational training certificate (CFC), apprentices who achieve good grades can access professional maturity, a one- or two-year extension that opens access

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

Step by step: how to apply

1. Self-assessment and information gathering Identify your professional interests, strengths, and career ambitions. Visit the Canton of St. Gallen career guidance portal and explore the available profession profiles. Attend orientation days at local vocational schools to gain a concrete understanding of work environments and company requirements.

2. Active search and contacts Compile a list of interesting companies in your preferred field. Check the cantonal job portal and contact companies directly. Prepare a personal CV, a professional photograph, and a short cover letter. Many companies also require recent school records (report cards). The quality of your presentation affects your chances of being called for an interview.

3. Interview and practical trial The selected companies will invite candidates for an interview. Some also require an aptitude test (mathematics, languages, technical reasoning). Many companies offer a trial internship of a few days: use it to demonstrate reliability, interest, and the ability to work in a team. Direct observation of the candidate at work remains the decisive criterion for many employers.

4. Contract signing and registration Once accepted, you will receive the apprenticeship contract in triplicate. Review it carefully together with your parents (if you are a minor): check the duration, compensation, working hours, shifts, holidays, and termination clauses. Sign it and keep a copy. Register with the vocational school by the deadline set for the start of your training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary of an apprentice in the Canton of St. Gallen?: There is no Swiss federal minimum wage; the Canton of St. Gallen sets the minimum wage for each profession and for each year of training. In the first year it is generally lower than in subsequent years. The exact figures vary depending on the specialty chosen. For compensation specific to your profession, please consult the official website of the cantonal administration or contact the Training Office directly. Our salary calculator can help you estimate the net based on gross salary and deduct
Am I entitled to the holiday as an apprentice?: Yes. Swiss federal law guarantees a minimum of four weeks of annual leave to all workers, including apprentices. If you are under twenty, you are entitled to five weeks. The dates are agreed between the company and the apprentice, but they cannot all be concentrated in one season. The right to holidays is guaranteed by federal regulations and applied by the Canton of St. Gallen.
What happens if I have to terminate the apprenticeship contract?: In the first two years, the cancellation period is one month. From the third year onwards, it becomes two months. Both parties (apprentice and company) may terminate the contract with written notice. Summary dismissals (without notice) are only possible for serious breaches of contract (e.g. acts of dishonesty, repeated breaches of security rules). Consult your contract for specific conditions and contact the Cantonal Labour Office if you have any doubts about the procedure.
Can I continue to university after the apprenticeship?: Yes, two main routes. First: complete the vocational training certificate (CFC) and then the professional maturity (1-2 additional years), which opens access to university vocational schools (sup/Fachhochschulen). Second: to obtain the ordinary degree in parallel (at professional schools that offer it) to access traditional universities. Vocational and cantonal schools can advise you on the best path based on your achievements and career goals.
I am an Italian border worker: can I find an apprenticeship in the Canton of St. Gallen?: Yes, EU/EFTA citizens (including Italians) can carry out apprenticeship in Switzerland with work permit B (residence). The parents or the adult candidate must start the practice at the cantonal office of migration. Wage and contractual rights are identical to those of Swiss citizens. We recommend that you contact the Cantonal Office for Foreigners (SEM) to clarify the authorisation process before applying for positions.