If you have gained a lot of work experience, but don’t yet have a professional qualification, you can acquire one through what is known as a validation of educational achievement process, or you can gain a qualification by attending evening classes (2. Bildungsweg).

 

Validation of educational achievement means that you document your previous knowledge and experience in a certain field of work and have it verified. You must have gained experience of work in this field for at least five years. You can then validate this experience and thus gain a qualification that is recognised in Switzerland. To do this you identify, analyse and document your professional knowledge in a file. Experts in your profession will assess your file. If your skills and expertise satisfy the requirements of the professional qualification in question you will be awarded the accreditation. If there are still gaps in your knowledge, you can fill these through additional training.

 

An adult can take an apprenticeship at evening classes. To do so you also need at least five years’ work experience in a specific profession or field. You will then have to learn the vocational and general knowledge required for the apprenticeship at an appropriate vocational college, for example. There are special adult classes for popular apprenticeships, such as commercial apprenticeships. Every year more than one thousand adults take a federally recognised apprenticeship examination having completed the appropriate preparation.