Most popular lesson: The KV reform is coming in the summer – that’s how complicated the work used to be

“You do the KV? That’s solid basic training,” every commercial student has heard this phrase – and maybe that’s why they chose the profession.

The apprenticeship as a clerk is one of the most popular courses in Switzerland. According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics (BfS), 211,583 apprenticeships were registered in 2021.

Of these, 12,289 came from the business community and administration: the KV. “Most apprentices complete their basic vocational training in commercial occupations,” writes the BfS. Reason enough to look back at the most popular education in Switzerland and how it has developed over time.

1910s

There were already trade apprentices before the turn of the century. At that time, however, it was not compulsory to go to school. It so happened that in 1897 only 22 of the approximately 560 students passed the apprenticeship examination.

It was not until the cantonal apprentice law of 1906 that vocational education and the final exam became compulsory. Also in this year it was introduced that the school was made possible for students.

By the way, wages were much lower at the beginning of the 20th century. The minimum wage after an apprenticeship of 3 years was 200 francs, writes the blog “Wirkaufleute”.

the 30’s

Every KV student is familiar with the touch system. It was taught as far back as the 1930s, but then on portable typewriters.

The portable writing instruments were a novelty at the time and some manufacturers advertised with the slogans “the most perfect of modern times”.

1940s

Typewriters developed rapidly. But one thing remained the same: touch typing as an important part of commercial training.

1950s

At the time, you still had to dress appropriately for a profession at the vocational school, ripped jeans or training pants were not an option.

60’s

The KV profession was already widespread in the 1960s. Many of the women who did the work were referred to as “secretaries” at the time. Fortunately, that has changed in the meantime: Everyone who has completed the KV is a clerk.

The technology was also renewed in the 1960s. Today, a commercial apprentice would probably be overwhelmed to be put on such an antique piece of equipment. Who not?

70s

Working from home was not yet possible at the time: as an entrepreneur you would have had to take too many heavy and expensive devices home with you.

A milestone was also reached in 1974: the school building on Escher-Wyss-Platz in Zurich was built, where approximately 4,500 commercial students are still receiving their education.

But one thing was still the same in the 1970s: the school clothes had to be serious.

the 80’s

In the eighties you worked as a merchant with shirt and tie. The pay after the apprenticeship was then already ten times higher than in the 1910s.

In the mid-1980s, as an educated businessman you already earned about 2,400 francs a month. But the work also became more demanding: if you wanted to stay on task, you had to be able to deal with the rapidly changing technology.

the 90’s

In the 1990s, working on the computer became an increasingly important part of everyday life as a businesswoman. That had to be practiced – including touch typing.

2000s

After the turn of the millennium, the trading profession acquired characteristics that are still familiar today: open-plan offices with many computers and telephones.

Today: 2023

Here’s what it looks like when traders work in 2023 – a lot has happened compared to the beginning. And new things are constantly being added.

The KV reform 2023 will apply from this summer. The new basic commercial training must consistently focus on action skills. According to the creed: “Whatever the future brings – merchants must be prepared.”
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