Internship and salary in the canton of Solothurn: practical guide (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Dual vocational training is the main pathway in Switzerland for young people (3–4 years)
• AFC (Federal Certificate of Competence) provides nationally recognized qualification
• Apprentice salary varies by canton and sector, subject to federal/cantonal taxes and social contributions

Key facts

• What: Dual training system (school + company), contract and path to AFC
• When: Research 12–18 months before; internship usually starts in September
• Where: Canton of residence; supervision of the cantonal vocational training office
• Who: Apprentice, employer, vocational school, cantonal office, SECO (national coordination)
• Duration: 3–4 years to achieve AFC; additional 1 year for professional maturity (optional)

Vocational training is the pillar of the Swiss labour market. In the canton of Solothurn, as in all 26 cantons, the dual system combines classroom teaching at vocational schools and practical learning in the company over a 3–4 year course. The Federal Certificate of Capacity (AFC) that concludes the internship is nationally recognized and opens the door to immediate employment opportunities or subsequent specializations, including professional maturity.

The role of the canton is central in the management of training: the cantonal vocational training office supervises contracts, ensures compliance with federal legislation, coordinates

Operational details

Remuneration and social contributions

The remuneration of the apprentice is determined by the canton and the professional sector. There is no single federal minimum wage; some cantons have set their own minimums. Solota, like other cantons, publishes annually the recommended salary scales per apprentice for each trade.

The gross salary of the apprentice is subject to mandatory contributions: AVS/AI/IPG at 5.3% borne by the apprentice (the employer pays 10.6% total); unemployment insurance (AD) and accident insurance (LAINF) with reduced percentages for apprentices, variable according to the sector; LAMal (Compulsory Health Insurance) to be taken out within 3 months of the beginning of the internship, with private cost at per capita premiums, adult deductibles from CHF 300 to CHF 2500 and possibility of cantonal income-based allowance. To check the precise sickness fund costs in your canton and the possibilities of subsidy, consulta le opzioni LAMal disponibili.

Rights and duties of the apprentice

The maximum legal time is 45 hours per week for sectors such as industry and offices, up to 50 hours in other sectors. The minimum holiday is 4 weeks per year, except 5 weeks for apprentices under the age of 20.

The employer is required to provide comprehensive training in the trade, provide safety tools and equipment, and comply with federal work schedules. The apprentice has the duty of diligence, compulsory school attendance, and respect

Useful planning tools

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

Key points

How to Find an Internship: Step by Step

Step 1: Orientation and Initial Search (12–18 months prior). Consult official cantonal portals, the SECO website (Secretariat of State for Economy) for national resources, and directly contact the cantonal office of professional training in Solothurn for an informative interview. Collect job postings from professional associations, chambers of commerce, unions, and trade associations.

Step 2: Application and Interview (6–12 months prior). Prepare a dossier: motivated letter, compact CV, and academic records for the past 2 years. Focus on coherence between declared interests and academic skills. Participate in interviews; many employers organize 1–2-day trial days to verify practical attitudes.

Step 3: Contract Signing (2–3 months prior to start). Once an agreement is reached, the employer prepares the contract according to the cantonal model. Mandatory signatures: apprentice (or parent if minor), employer, and cantonal office. The canton registers and archives the contract.

Step 4: Administrative Obligations (first month). Registration at the vocational school (the employer communicates the data), stipulation of LAMal within 3 months of commencement, and opening a bank account if salary payment is made via bank transfer.

Vocational Maturity and Continuing Education

After completing the AFC, the apprentice can obtain vocational maturity: a diploma offering partial equivalence to the matura and direct access to tertiary education (professional schools, SUP). Vocational maturity is achieved in an additional year (post-AFC) or in parallel during the last 2 years of the internship, if the employer allows it.

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