First of all let me preface this article by saying that I studied Industrial Design for three years at college and I also have a University Bachelors degree in Education. In this moment I am not using anything that I learned to do a specific job but I am using many little skills in my role as a serial entrepreneur.

Here is a Short News Item That Inspired Me to Write This Article:

"Who Needs College? - Alternative Paid Apprenticeships Guarantee Jobs" 

How Apprenticeships Work in Switzerland. My Own Experience 

Young people and parents are faced with decisions about work, education, careers and well, just surviving. Time, money, student loans and job prospects all come into the equation.

There are apprenticeships available in literally hundreds of fields including office work, sales, computer programming, banking, many different trades etc…

I must say that we were actually relieved when our son told us that he wanted to enter an apprenticeship doing something where he could work with his hands. Here in Switzerland, for him, that meant entering the workforce in his 14th/15th year. He chose a 4 year program to become a licensed electrician and I'd like to explain how it works and give you the positives and the negatives.

First: there was a 3 hour logic and aptitude exam that he had to pass in order to be accepted into the 4 year program which includes network systems, fibre optics, phone systems etc.. If you don't get a high enough result you can take a 3 year program which has less physics and if your result is too low they suggest that you do something else.

Second: As parents we had to find a job for him. We called around and looked for places that would let him do a trial for up to a week. His secondary school allowed 3 of these trials and then he also did a few during his summer holidays. From these trials two companies offered him a contract and we chose what we thought was the better one.

He is now in his third year with a huge international company called ALPIQ and is treated very well.

Some of The Main Points of The Program.

• There are 10 day cycles with 7 days of work and then 3 days of school on a regular rotation.
• He is paid 13 times a year as follows. First year $526/month, second year $724/month, third year $887/month, fourth year $1,112/month. The 13th pay is a bonus payment.
• Every year he is sent to do 2 weeks of practical work at a special school. The purpose is to make sure that he has not missed any specific skill at his place of work.
• He has to keep a diary of every job that he does each day and include diagrams. This is checked and graded.
• He has 5 weeks of paid vacation plus a few vacation days for Christmas, New Years, etc…
• At the end of the fourth year there is an exam and if he passes he becomes a licensed electrician.
• If he wants to go to University later he must first do one year of full time school which is called "maturity".
• The apprenticeship organization pays for public transportation to work and school. 

What Are The Positives?

• He gets paid and learns to manage money.
• He has learned to have a good work ethic
• It has helped him to mature a lot.
• He can be, if he wishes, self sufficient at the age of 18
• Instead of just having a high school diploma he will be licensed in a trade at the same age.
• He has a new mentor every 6 months and so the work done and the location changes.
• 
  

The lab work at the special school is great! Each student does his/her own project!

What Are The Negatives?

• The decision as to what apprenticeship to do comes at a very early age and so it's not easy.
• The work is at times hard for a young person. He starts at 7 am and works till 5 pm with an hour for lunch.
• He no longer has a summer vacation and long school breaks. When school is off he works!
• Since any EU citizen can apply for an apprenticeship young kids are competing for placements with adults. There is heavy competition.

During early fases of construction the work can be tough albeit interesting!

All in all as parents we are thrilled with the program and the results and our son is quite pleased with his choice.

Points for Discussion

• How are the apprenticeship programs in your country?
• Do you find them to be a good alternative to High School, College and University?
• Any questions? Fire away!

I hope that you enjoyed this look at alternatives to high school and university.

Until next time,

@kus-knee (The Old Dog)

Remember, I reward the best comment(s) on each of my posts with my "The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone" program! So please re-steem and follow so that we can spread the wealth!