How to find an internship in the Canton of Graubünden

Context

In brief

• Swiss dual training alternates between company practice and vocational school
• In Graubünden, federal and cantonal regulations are coordinated
• The apprenticeship contract is binding and protected by law
• Berufsmaturität allows access to SUP after apprenticeship

Key facts

• What: Dual vocational training path (practice + school)
• Where: Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland
• Who: Apprentices, companies, cantonal vocational training office
• Duration: Typically 3-4 years per sector
• Social contributions: AVS/AI/IPG 5.3% (split between apprentice and company)

In the canton of Graubünden, as in the rest of Switzerland, dual vocational training is one of the three pillars of the educational system. An apprentice alternates between company practice and vocational school, developing specific skills for the job market. In Switzerland, over 60% of young people choose vocational training over the high school path.

The vocational training office of the canton of Graubünden coordinates the offer of apprenticeship positions, manages apprenticeship contracts, and recognizes diplomas. Each company that wants to train apprentices must comply with federal laws and specific cantonal ordinances for the sector. The path is regulated by the federal law on vocational training and sectoral ordinances, which define duration, programs, quality standards, and minimum salaries per year of apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship contract is a binding legal instrument that protects both the apprentice and the company, defining rights, duties, hours, holidays, and salary. The professional maturity (Berufsmaturität) is an opportunity for those who want to continue higher education after or in parallel with the apprenticeship, guaranteeing access to professional universities (SUP).

The vocational training system in Graubünden

In Graubünden, three levels of governance operate. The Confederation sets federal standards through law. The canton defines sectoral ordinances, manages apprentice registers, and supervises training companies. Individual companies sign the apprenticeship contract, which is the legal basis of the relationship.

A critical aspect: Switzerland does not have a federal minimum wage (some cantons have their own). In Graubünden, the apprentice's salary is agreed upon in the contract and must respect the minimums indicated by the federal sectoral ordinance for the professional branch. Typically, a first-year apprentice earns less than a third-year apprentice, in proportion to their professional development and productivity.

Social contributions start from the first euro earned. The company and the apprentice split the AVS/AI/IPG contribution at 5.3% each, paid monthly to the compensation fund. Additionally, the company pays LAINF contributions (work accident insurance, 0.7-1.5% depending on the sector) and, if applicable, AD/AC (unemployment, 1.1% up to the annual maximum). These contributions protect the apprentice in case of injury, disability, or job loss.

Operational details

Internship contract: contents and legal protections

The internship contract is a legal document that must contain: the name and address of the company and the apprentice; the start and end date of the internship (total duration); the profession and number of the federal sectoral ordinance; the weekly working hours; the monthly salary for each year of the internship; holidays (minimum 4 weeks per year; 5 if the apprentice is under 20 years old); vocational school courses (usually 1-2 days per week); termination conditions; probation period provisions.

The contract is registered with the professional training office of the canton of Graubünden, which verifies compliance with federal and cantonal laws. Both the apprentice and the company receive a countersigned copy. The office rejects defective contracts and requests corrections before registration.

Salary and tax declarations

The apprentice's salary is subject to cantonal and municipal taxes according to the rates of Graubünden. The federal direct tax (FDT) is progressive and calculated on the total annual income. Switzerland applies a three-level system (federal + cantonal + municipal); each municipality has its own multiplier on the cantonal tax.

The company pays the apprentice's AVS/AI/IPG contributions to the compensation fund (CAA) monthly. The apprentice receives a gross salary, from which insurance contributions and taxes are deducted. The net amount depends on the agreed salary, mandatory social contributions, and the tax rates of the municipality of residence.

Practical scenario: A first-year apprentice pays AVS/AI/IPG contributions at 5.3%, while the company pays its counterpart by paying the total (10.6%) to the CAA. The final net amount depends on the deductions for cantonal and municipal taxes of Graubünden. Each municipality has autonomy in setting the multiplier on the cantonal tax, so two apprentices with the same gross salary in different municipalities of Graubünden may receive slightly different net amounts.

Health insurance and social protection

The apprentice must insure themselves with a cantonal health insurance fund within 3 months of the start of the internship. The LAMal (mandatory health insurance) is not a tax or salary contribution: it is a private insurance with per capita premiums varying by canton and age group. Graubünden, like every canton, offers premium subsidies (premium reduction) for those with low income and proven need.

Accident insurance (LAINF/LAA) is automatically covered by the company without additional costs for the apprentice during work activities. Accidents during the journey to and from vocational school are covered up to certain limits. Old-age provision (LPP/BVG) begins if the annual salary exceeds a coordination threshold set at the federal level (not yet specified in the brief).

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 guide

Step 1: Consult the official cantonal portal

The professional training office of the canton of Graubünden maintains a public register of available internship positions, also accessible through national job portals. Companies report vacant positions, which are published online with filters for sector, municipality, and start year. The search is free and accessible to all interested parties.

Step 2: Apply directly to companies

It is not mandatory to wait for an official announcement. Many companies accept spontaneous applications. It is recommended to contact the human resources office or the training manager directly, sending a CV, cover letter, and school results. Companies intending to train apprentices have specific criteria for selection and access.

Step 3: Draw up the contract and registration

Once an agreement is reached with a company, the internship contract is drafted. The company has official models provided by the canton. The contract must be signed by both parties and sent to the professional training office at least 2 weeks before the start of the internship. If the contract does not meet federal or cantonal requirements, the office rejects it and requests corrections. Once approved, the office officially registers the internship and communicates the data to the compensation fund.

Step 4: Enroll in the vocational school

Based on the registered contract, the apprentice receives an official notice from the cantonal office with the start date of the vocational school (usually one or two weeks after the start of the internship). Enrollment is automatic once the contract is registered. The student receives the class schedule, the school address, and the list of necessary school materials.

Fiscal and pension management during the internship

During the internship, the apprentice accumulates contributions towards AHV (old-age and survivors' insurance), IV (disability insurance), and Maternity Insurance. These payments are mandatory and start from the first euro earned. Pension management is centralized: once the contract is registered, the company automatically contributes through the fund.

To navigate the tax system during the internship, use the salary calculator to estimate the net monthly amount based on the gross salary and social contributions in Graubünden. If you have questions about annual tax management, consult the resources on the tax return to understand how the direct federal tax (DFT) works at the cantonal and municipal level. The declaration is mandatory if the income exceeds the cantonal threshold (not yet specified in the brief).

Official sources: Old-age insurance system (FSIO)