Swissmem and Swissmechanic have been collaborating for some time in the field of vocational training –for instance in the context of the vocational reform FUTUREMEM and the digital learning platform techLEARN.swiss. Other tasks, such as the development of learning media, have been handled separately to date. The intended bundling of these activities will mean that services for companies and apprentices can be improved and provided more efficiently. This will take the pressure of their member companies which in past years have been facing significant challenges.
All services are grouped at the Swissmem vocational training centre in Winterthur.
The services will in future be provided by the Swissmem vocational training centre in Winterthur. The local team will be reinforced by two Swissmechanic employees. Swissmechanic Switzerland will provide the necessary resources for the transformation phase and for the continuation of activities to be discontinued as part of the start of the 2025 apprenticeship year subject to the current vocational and professional education and training ordinances.
The activities to be grouped together in future include the development and marketing of educational media for the eight technical professions in the industry, the qualification procedure with the examination development, monitoring of processes and support for the professions and vocational marketing including the skills championships (SwissSkills, EuroSkills and WorldSkills) and the vocational reforms in the eight technical professions. The vocational training and basic training committees will also be merged.
Implementation to be completed by the end of the year
The member companies of both associations benefit from the same discounts for educational media and approved qualification procedures for the eight technical professions, as well as for access to the services of intercompany courses. Swissmechanic will also share the costs of the joint activities by making a financial contribution.
Following the decisions on 11 September (Swissmem) and 25 October (Swissmechanic Assembly of Delegates), preparations for implementation could begin.