Bühler makes the advantages of the Swiss vocational training system accessible to customers worldwide

Participants have the opportunity to complete modules in the areas of mechanics, mechatronics and project management. Depending on individual requirements, additional training in process technology is also offered. The programs are aimed specifically at service technicians and maintenance personnel and include occupational safety courses in accordance with Swiss standards. Each module concludes with a recognized Swiss certificate. "The Vocational Fast Track vocational training format offers companies a unique opportunity to build skills in a targeted and efficient manner," says Irene Mark-Eisenring, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bühler. "We are bringing the strengths of the Swiss dual education system - the close integration of theory and practice - into a compact and scalable format for industrial requirements." This new offering addresses some of the most pressing challenges of today's labor market: increasing skills shortages, more flexible and volatile labor markets and rising training costs. In this context, continuous training and the acquisition of new qualifications are becoming increasingly important.

A pioneer in vocational training for over a century

Bühler has been a pioneer in vocational training for over 110 years - the first apprentices were trained back in 1915. Since then, the company has continuously developed and modernized its approach to vocational training. The Vocational Fast Track vocational training format builds on this foundation and reflects Bühler's long-standing and comprehensive commitment to education and training. Training programs are currently conducted at 26 locations in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Bühler is pursuing a goal that goes beyond its own need for skilled workers: by investing in people and their skills, the aim is to strengthen the backbone of the manufacturing industries as a whole. Today, Bühler trains over 520 apprentices worldwide, around 40 percent of them outside Switzerland. Since the training program was founded in 1915, more than 8400 young professionals have completed an apprenticeship with Bühler in Switzerland alone. The company also relies on strong partnerships, for example with organizations such as Swissmem (the association of the Swiss mechanical, electrical and metal industry) and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN), a worldwide association of companies, international organizations and employers' associations for the promotion of practice-oriented learning. On this basis, the Vocational Fast Track vocational training format is now ready for customers worldwide. This enables Bühler and its partners to offer high-quality vocational training efficiently and globally - to support industrial customers and strengthen broader industry networks.

Swiss vocational training system: an economic model for success

The Swiss dual education system is internationally recognized for its close integration of theory and practice. It ensures a high employment rate after training and excellent career development opportunities. Around 70 percent of young people in Switzerland opt for an apprenticeship in one of over 230 recognized professions. This contributes to one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in the world, which is below 4 percent. Sonja Studer, Head of Education at the industry association Swissmem, says: "Switzerland's - and Bühler's - economic success is closely linked to the dual education system. It ensures a continuous supply of skilled workers, aligns training with the needs of industry and strengthens innovation."

The Swiss vocational training system could play a decisive role in solving current challenges in the education and labor market, particularly in the USA. There, the skills gap in industry is over one million unfilled positions, about half of which are in the manufacturing sector. At the same time, the cost of a university degree is between USD 26,000 and USD 60,000 per year, making access to formal education difficult for many. Apprenticeships are often still seen as a "second choice" to university degrees, and there is a lack of uniform national standards.

Tracy Bayer, Head of Human Resources North America at Bühler, explains: "The US urgently needs scalable and cost-effective models for developing skilled workers. The Swiss dual education system is a proven solution: it is affordable, provides high-quality skills and creates direct pathways to careers. With our Swiss-style apprenticeship program at the Bühler Apprentice Academy in North Carolina and Minnesota, we are demonstrating how this works in practice."

Bühler's US programs combine training at a university of applied sciences with practical work in Bühler companies. Graduates earn associate degrees and skilled worker certificates - and many go straight into a permanent position at Bühler.

Source: Buhler