Apprenticeship Zurich: how to find and negotiate (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The canton of Zurich follows the Swiss national vocational training system.
• Guaranteed rights: minimum 4 weeks holiday, maximum time 45 hours per week.
• Training course that combines practical teaching in the company and theory at school.

Key facts

• What: Apprenticeship training course with practical phase in the company and theoretical education
• Where: Canton of Zurich, according to Swiss federal regulations
• Who: Young people of post-compulsory school age and local employers
• When: Entry typically after compulsory school
• Duration: Three-year and four-year courses according to the sector and profile
• Rights: Minimum 4 weeks of annual leave, maximum 45 hours per week
• Certification: Federal Certificate of Capacity (AFC) at the end

Choosing the route and looking for a place

Apprenticeship in the canton of Zurich represents the pillar of Swiss vocational training, offering young people a unique combination of practical and theoretical teaching. The Zurich system follows federal guidelines, ensuring that training courses are nationally recognised and comply with workers' rights established by Swiss federal law.

When looking for an internship in Zurich, the first step is to identify the industry and profile that interests you most. The canton is home to a wide range of sectors, from manufacturing to services, from technology

Operational details

Remuneration and social contributions

The remuneration of the apprentice is regulated at the federal level and adapted by the individual professional associations and cantons. In the canton of Zurich, the system of collective bargaining and cantonal provisions ensure fair and progressive wages.

A crucial aspect of apprentice pay concerns social security contributions. The apprentice is subject to the payment of AVS/AI/IPG contributions (the so-called “first pillar”), with a rate of 5.3% to be borne by the employee and 10.6% total (including the employer's contribution). These payments are essential to accumulate pension credits from the beginning of your career.

In addition to pension contributions, the apprentice in Zurich is enrolled in occupational accident insurance (LAINF/LAA), with variable rates depending on the sector (0.7-1.5%). Unemployment insurance (AD/AC) also covers the apprentice at a rate of 1.1% until the annual ceiling is reached.

From a tax point of view, the apprentice's salary is subject to direct federal tax, in addition to the cantonal and municipal taxes in force in the canton of Zurich. Each level of government applies its own rates, so it is important to check the specific Zurich provisions with the competent cantonal administration.

Apprentices under the age of 25 can benefit from exemptions or reductions compared to workers

Useful planning tools

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

Key points

Procedure for finding and signing the internship contract

Finding an internship in Zurich follows a structured process. The first step involves consulting national and regional platforms dedicated to offering internship positions. At the federal level, SECO (Federal Department of Economy) provides information on the Swiss labor market and vocational training, while the Zurich cantonal platforms offer specific databases of available positions.

Once the interesting positions have been identified, the candidate must apply directly to the chosen company or through the cantonal intermediation offices. The application includes typically the school curriculum, a motivational letter, and references from former teachers or supervisors.

After the candidate's acceptance by the company, the internship contract is drawn up. The contract is a standardized federal document that must contain: duration of the training period, sector and profile of the internship, monthly remuneration and payment methods, working days and hours, vacation periods, rights and duties of the intern and the company, and the probation period (usually 1-3 months).

The contract is signed by both parties (intern/parents if minor, employer) and deposited with the competent cantonal authority in the Zurich canton within the prescribed terms.

During the internship, it is essential to register with the AVS/LPP pension system, verify the mandatory insurance coverage (sickness and accidents), and consult the cantonal fiscal parameters to understand the applicable deductions on the remuneration. Use the wage calculator to simulate the impact of taxation on your intern's remuneration and the job search tool to quickly identify available positions in your sector.