Guy Parmelin, Piyush Goyal ad Mike Pompeo at Swissmem Industry Day

The 18th Swissmem Industry Day took as its title “Next-level skills – vocational training for the future”. The event focused on the great importance of dual vocational training for the Swiss tech industry (mechanical and electrical engineering industries and related technology sectors), Switzerland as a business location, and social stability.  

The FUTUREMEM project was presented at the event, in which eight technical industry professions were revised. The aim of the project is to gear training systematically to the requirements of the digital, networked world of work. The revised apprenticeships are focusing on skills, are modular in structure and can be individualized to a greater extent. They are geared to real work situations and enable the apprentices to directly apply in practice what they have learned.  

The FUTUREMEM project is due to be completed soon: as of August 2026, the first apprentices will start their training on the basis of the revised job profiles. In his speech, Martin Hirzel emphasized: “We need young people who are enthusiastic about technology, inquisitive and ready to get involved. The revised vocational apprenticeships open up professional perspectives in a dynamic sector and form the basis for further training as well as professional and social advancement.”  

Skilled workers, free trade, future markets: success factors for Switzerland

Besides vocational training, Industry Day focused on current geopolitical and trade-related developments. For the Swiss tech industry, which exports 80% of its goods, unobstructed access to global markets is essential. Given the increase in protectionism worldwide, Martin Hirzel described the free trade agreement concluded with India in 2024 as a blessing. The speech by Piyush Goyal was one of the highlights of the event. The Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry praised the good relations between the world's most populous country and Switzerland and spoke about the great potential for future collaboration.  

Martin Hirzel then emphatically called for more free trade agreements. The focus is currently on conclusion of such agreements with the Mercosur countries. This needs to be implemented quickly, as the EU is already a step ahead of Switzerland.  

On the day before Industry Day, a round table on the topics of investment and trade was held with both ministers and several dozen industrial companies. In this context, Switzerland and India agreed to work together on increasing the efficiency and reducing the costs of the time-consuming administrative requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).  

Industry Day was rounded off with the appearance of Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State and CIA Director. He analysed the latest geopolitical developments and their consequences for Switzerland and Europe.  

For further information please contact: 

Noé Blancpain, Head of Communications and Public Affairs
Tel. +41 44 384 48 65 / mobile +41 78 748 61 63
E-mail n.blancpainnoSpam@swissmem.ch 

Philippe Cordonier, Head of Swissmem Romandie
Tel. +41 44 384 42 30 / mobile +41 79 644 46 77
E-mail p.cordoniernoSpam@swissmem.ch