Andrii (16) from Ukraine had to write 20 job applications: ‘I often don’t hear from the companies anymore’

A dozen pens in Zurich

But it now appears that hardly any young Ukrainian will start such vocational training in the coming weeks. As shown by a Blick survey of the responsible cantons, the figures are well below expectations. In Basel 6, in Bern 15 and in Zug 8, teenagers from the Ukraine have an apprenticeship contract in their pocket.

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In the canton of Zurich, there are believed to be a dozen of them. One of them is Andrii (16). He is currently on a preparatory internship before starting his four-year apprenticeship as an automation technician in August. Andrii came to Switzerland in March 2022 with his mother and sister. He now speaks High German very well. In addition to a preparatory course at the Winterthur training center, he also completed the school year in Ukraine through a correspondence course.

Why do so few Ukrainians have an internship despite the special rule? Many young people only came to Switzerland a few months ago – the short time was not enough for many to build up their German skills enough to start an internship, says Niklaus Schatzmann, head of the high school and the vocational training office Canton of Zurich. Many young Ukrainians would therefore participate in a bridging offer in the coming school year to further improve their German language skills.

Companies are hesitant

But it is not only the knowledge of German that makes it difficult for boys from Ukraine to start their careers. “Until recently, training companies were hesitant to sign apprenticeship contracts with young people from Ukraine because it was not certain whether they could stay in Switzerland until the apprenticeship contract was completed,” says Daniel Reumiller, head of the career advice and information centers in the canton of Bern.

Andrii felt the same way. “I sent out more than 20 applications, often never hearing from the companies again,” says Blick. But now he is looking forward to his education. “I want to become a good professional,” says the young man who fled Kharkiv. His tip to other student seekers: “Don’t give up and don’t be sad if you are rejected.”

Baume-Schneider wants to train Ukrainians himself

Like Andrii, those who complete a four-year apprenticeship will have already been in Switzerland for five years by the end of the apprenticeship – and will therefore probably receive residence permit B, provided that the protected status has not been withdrawn by that time.

For the time being, the SEM does not want to comment on the low number of Ukrainians as apprentices. However, the Baume-Schneider department wants to set a good example. The Federal Ministry of Justice and Police von Baume-Schneider also trained a refugee from Ukraine from August, albeit in a commercial pre-stage.