Apprenticeships: one contract in four terminated early

⏱ 1 min 30 read

Background

Apprenticeship remains the path chosen by most young people in Switzerland. Each year, almost 60% of them continue their education this way. The Federal Statistical Office also tracks the number of contracts terminated early.

The key points

In Switzerland, a quarter of apprenticeship contracts are terminated early, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), quoted by PME magazine. In almost 90% of cases, it is the apprentice who decides to end the contract.

There is no single explanation, according to Miriam Hänni, researcher at the Swiss Observatory for Vocational Education and Training of the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET). Several factors, sometimes combined, lead to a termination. Some terminations correct a wrong career choice, others could be avoided with better support.

Key figures

• Almost 60% : share of young people who choose an apprenticeship
• 25 % : share of contracts terminated early, according to the FSO
• Almost 90% : share of terminations decided by the apprentice
• 45 000 : apprentices surveyed for the WorkMed 2025 report

What it means for businesses

• Training companies : according to the WorkMed 2025 report, a supportive team is the most decisive factor in completing training successfully

Further reading

• Minimum wage: the SGB wants 5,000 francs after an apprenticeship
• Baccalaureate in Neuchâtel: four years and four entry routes

Sources

• PME – Apprenticeships: why so many young people drop out of their training