Young Ukrainians can complete their apprenticeship in Switzerland, but there is a catch: Putin wants to ban words en masse

More than 75,000 people have received protection in Switzerland since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Among them are 5,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 20. They are actually about to enter the professional world. But it was unclear for a long time whether they would be able to complete an internship in Switzerland.

The Federal Council extended protection status S last November – but initially only until March next year. What comes next also depends on the course of the war. The federal government has now clarified the internships. Ukrainian young people should be given the opportunity to start and complete an internship in Switzerland – regardless of whether protection status S applies until the end of the internship.

Useful for reconstruction

After consultation with the cantons and the social partners, Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has decided that they can stay in Switzerland until they have completed their apprenticeship, Christine Schraner Burgener, State Secretary for Migration (SEM), reported to the media on Wednesday.

With an internship, the young people can lay the foundations for a professional future and acquire skills that will be useful for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This creates planning certainty for learners and training companies.

Several hundred Ukrainian students

The federal government and the cantons assume that several hundred young people from Ukraine will be able to start basic vocational training this summer or later. Today, about 300 young people follow a gymnasium and about 1,700 a bridging program in preparation for an apprenticeship or a general school.

The timing of the decision is not accidental. The search for an internship is in full swing. For approval, the trainees need confirmation from the training company and the cantonal vocational training office.

It is unclear whether parents will be allowed to stay

However, there is a catch. The federal government only decides later whether the young people’s nuclear family can also stay in Switzerland until the end of their apprenticeship. Young people will therefore think twice about staying abroad all alone. However, Schraner Burgerer stressed that the federal government would prioritize the child’s welfare. “We don’t leave anyone alone.”

With the decision, the Confederation responds to a request from the cantons, social partners and business associations. Beforehand, they had expressed their support for young people from Ukraine to be able to complete their basic vocational training. (bzbasel.ch)