Pestalozzi and Gabs honor 126 professionals with the Stiftepriis

On Friday, November 6, 2026, the Pestalozzi Group and its subsidiary Gabs honored 126 young professionals with the 44th Pestalozzi Stiftepriis at the Dietikon City Hall. They were recognized for their outstanding completion of apprenticeships in the fields of building envelopes and building services engineering, as well as metal construction and fabrication.

With a final grade of 5.9, Spengler Adrian Reusser achieved the best result among the 126 honorees. All award recipients achieved a grade point average of at least 5.1, with many even reaching 5.7 or 5.8. According to the press release, the degrees reflect the diversity of challenging professional fields.

Expertise and Responsibility

The award-winning professionals have developed their skills step by step during their apprenticeships. Their credentials therefore attest not only to their technical knowledge and craftsmanship, but also to their ability to take on responsibility and find solutions. With their federal certificate of proficiency, they have laid the foundation for their future paths: they can choose to enter the workforce directly, pursue specialization, or continue on to advanced vocational training.

The Pestalozzi Foundation Prize as a token of recognition

Since the 1980s, the Pestalozzi Group has recognized outstanding achievements in basic vocational education through the Stiftepriis. The award is intended to highlight the accomplishments of young skilled workers and underscore the importance of technical and skilled trades for Switzerland as a center of industry.

«A good apprenticeship completion is much more than just a grade. It’s driven by curiosity, perseverance, and the desire to learn something new every day,» says Matthias Pestalozzi, owner and CEO of the Pestalozzi Group. «With the Stiftepriis, we want to highlight this dedication and show young professionals that their skills matter.»

According to the press release, training companies and vocational training institutions also contribute to this success. With this award, Pestalozzi and Gabs are therefore also recognizing this commitment to the next generation of skilled workers.

Event Program

The event began with a cocktail reception at the Dietikon City Hall. Guests then took a guided tour of Pestalozzi AG to learn more about the company before returning to the City Hall for the awards ceremony. There, Matthias Pestalozzi and the Zurich comedy duo Lapsus personally presented the award recipients with their certificates and a gift. Lapsus provided entertainment throughout the event with comedy and acrobatics. Dinner, dessert, and a relaxed conclusion rounded out the evening.

Supporting Young Talent at Pestalozzi

The Pestalozzi Group trains its own apprentices in business, technical, and logistics professions. Through the Stiftepriis, this commitment extends beyond the Group’s own apprenticeship programs, serving as recognition for young talent and for everyone who supports them along the way.

In Western Switzerland, the eleventh Prix Apprentissage awards ceremony will take place on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Musée Olympique in Lausanne.

Source and further information: www.stiftepriis.pestalozzi.com