The first weeks of your apprenticeship

The first day at work is exciting for almost everyone. Suddenly you are part of a team of adults. That is a big step, and nobody expects you to know everything at the start.

Before the first day

• Try the route: Travel the route once beforehand, at the same time of day as later. Then you know how long it really takes.
• Check what to wear: Are there work clothes, safety shoes or a dress code? Better ask beforehand.
• Get your documents ready: The company often still needs your ID, your AHV number (Swiss social security number) or bank details for your pay.

Asking questions is welcome

At the start almost everything is new: names, routines, tools, programs. You will have to ask a lot, and that is how it should be. Companies know that apprentices are there to learn.

• Write down things you do not want to forget. A small notebook or a note on your phone is enough.
• Better to ask once too often than to make a mistake that could have been avoided.
• If you did not understand something, say so. «Können Sie mir das nochmals zeigen?» (Could you show me that again?) is a completely normal sentence.

Being tired is normal

A working day is different from a school day. Many apprentices are very tired in the evening during the first weeks. That gets better once your body has got used to the new rhythm.

• Go to bed earlier during the week, especially at the start.
• Eat something proper for your morning break and lunch.
• Do not plan your first weekends too full.

Mistakes happen

Everyone makes mistakes, professionals too. What matters is how you deal with them: say so openly as soon as you notice, and ask how to do it better next time. If you hide mistakes, you lose trust.

School, company and courses

In an apprenticeship you learn in three places: at the company, at the vocational school and in the industry courses. At the start this can be confusing. Keep your timetable, course dates and working hours in one place, for example in a calendar.

If something is wrong

It is normal that not every day is fun. But if you feel uncomfortable for a longer time, are treated badly or only have to clean and tidy up, talk about it. First with your vocational trainer, then with your parents or your teacher at the vocational school. What else you can do is explained in the article about the apprenticeship contract.

And then

After a few weeks you know the people, the routines and the way to work in your sleep. And at some point you notice how much you have already learned.