The development of society creates new professions. But some are dying, too.Image: Shutterstock
The development of society creates new professions. But some are dying out. We've listed them.
October 15, 2024 10:28October 15, 2024 13:05
The federal government or the National Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is responsible for reviewing and adapting all basic vocational training to economic, technological, ecological and pedagogical developments. The review takes place every five years.
New careers in Switzerland
In 2023, SERI approved and released a total of 50 new or revised majors. 23 majors belong to basic vocational education, and 27 majors belong to higher vocational education.
Reasons for introducing new occupations include digitalization, sustainability and ecology, among others. In this context, the economy needs appropriately skilled workers.
An example of this new profession is the Solar Installer EFZ profession. Experts assemble, install, maintain and repair solar systems on flat roofs, pitched roofs and facades. This ensures that the building envelope becomes an energy-generating system and meets the requirements for energy efficiency and climate protection.
Another example is the building envelope planner. You will now be responsible for realizing integrated building envelopes or partial building envelopes as part of new construction and refurbishment projects. It’s important to stick to sustainability.
New* or revised major
Basic vocational training:
- EBA Hairdresser / EBA Hairdresser
- EFZ Hairdresser/ EFZ Hairdresser
- Rail transport specialist EFZ / Rail transport specialist EFZ
- Cleantech Expert EFZ / Cleantech Expert EFZ
- Florist EBA / Florist EBA
- Florist EFZ / Florist EFZ
- Gardener EBA / Gardener EBA
- Gardener EFZ / Gardener EFZ
- Interactive media designer EFZ
- Chef EFZ / Chef EFZ
- Beautician EFZ / Beautician EFZ
- Kitchen Staff EBA / Kitchen Staff EBA
- Logistics Specialist EBA / Logistics Specialist EBA
- Logistics Engineer EFZ / Logistics Engineer EFZ
- Metal workers EFZ / Metal workers EFZ
- Multimedia Electronics Technician EFZ / Multimedia Electronics Technician EFZ
- Stove manufacturer EFZ / Stove manufacturer EFZ
- Horse Expert EFZ / Horse Expert EFZ
- Pfedovadin EBA / Pfedova EBA
- Practitioner Cleantech EBA / Praktiker Cleantech EBA
- Solar Installer EBA* / Solar Installer EBA*
- Solar installer EFZ* / Solar installer EFZ*
- Illustrator EFZ
Higher vocational education:
- Construction Manager in a Major Construction Trade with a Commonwealth Diploma (HFP, effective 1 September 2025)*
- Master Builder with Commonwealth Diploma (HFP, effective 1 November 2024)
- Construction Foreman with Federal Certificate (BP)
- Construction Foreman with Federal Certificate (BP)*
- Hotel Housekeeping Supervisor/Hotel Housekeeping Supervisor with Federal Certificate (BP)
- Head of Department of Interior Design / Head of Department of Interior Design with Commonwealth Certificate (BP)
- Clean Technology Department Head with Federal Certification (BP)
- Head of the Watch Industry Department / Head of the Watch Industry Department with Swiss Federal Certificate (BP)*
- Main Floor Planner/Head Floor Planner (HFP)
- Floor Consultant/Floor Consultant with Federal Certification (BP)
- Well Master with Federal Certificate (BP)
- Master Manager/Head of Social and Social Healthcare Organizations (HFP)
- Tax Professional (HFP)
- Printing and Media Clerk/Printing and Media Clerk with Federal Certificate (BP)
- Occupational Safety and Health Protection (ASGS) Specialist with Commonwealth Diploma (HFP)*
- Neurophysiological Diagnostic Specialist / Neurophysiological Diagnostic Specialist with Commonwealth Certificate (BP)
- Color Designer with Commonwealth Certificate (BP)
- Building Envelope Planner with Commonwealth Diploma (HFP)*
- ICT Application Development Expert with Federal Certificate (BP)
- ICT Platform Development Expert with Federal Certificate (BP)
- Food Technician with Federal Certificate (BP)
- Color Project Manager/Color Project Manager with Federal Professional Certificate (BP)
- Master of Interior Decoration (HFP)
- Pipe network installer with federal certification (BP)
- Team Leader/Customer Service Team Leader (BP) with Federal Certification
- Team leader in social and social care organizations with federal specialist certificate (BP)
- User Experience/User Interface Designer (UX/UI Designer) with Swiss Federal Certificate (BP)*
Extinct and endangered professions in Switzerland
More than 20 traditional trades have become extinct, according to a study commissioned by the federal government. These include, for example, a glue machine, a tableware refinisher, an ice saw, and a bird catcher. The study also named occupations as “high risk” or “medium risk.” These endangered occupations include comb makers, coopers, moulters, straw weavers and yellow casters.
extinct handicrafts
- grandstand/grandstand
- Isaac/Aisa Green
- Trap Maker/Trap Maker
- Fehrenhauer / Fehrenhauerlin
- Raftman/Raftwoman
- Dishwasher/Dishwasher
- port binder/port binder
- harnesssmith/tacksmith
- Lavez Standreh / Lavez Standrehlin
- Glue making machine/Glue making machine
- stapler/nitlin
- Perchside/Peysidelin
- Master of Arithmetic
- Armored car Schmid / Armored car Schmiding
- Umbrella making machine/umbrella making machine
- Mirror grinder/mirror grinder
- Seal cutting machine/seal cutting machine
- smelter/smelter
- bird trap/bird trap
- wax boss/wax boss
Highly endangered craft
- Gerber/Gerberlin, Logerber/Logerberin
- Glass grinder(B)
- wig maker/wig maker
- Brush making machine/Brush making machine
- Portfeiller/Portfeillerin
- Posamente/Posamentrine
- Belt Manufacturer/Belt Manufacturer
- Hemer/Hemer
- Scagliomaler / Scagliomalerin (unique marble inlay)
- Box making machine/box making machine
- clockmaker/clockmaker
- Umbrella repairman
- Mold Foundry/Mold Foundry
- silkworm moth/silkworm moth
- Sennemecher/ Sennemecherin
- Sgrafitomale/Sgrafitomalin
- Soda Mach/Soda Machlin
- chip box manufacturer/chip box manufacturer
- Steingiesser / Steingiesserin (Pietra Dura)
- I will die/I will die, I will die/I will die
- paper creator/paper creator
- stickers/stickers
- Stometsger / Stometsgreen
- thatch roofer
- Straw hat machine/straw hat machine
- Starkatur/Starkaturin
- Piece dyeing machine/garment dyeing machine
- Stupendrech / Stupendrechlin
- wallpaper printer
- Textile printing machine/Textile printing machine
- Textile Technician (B)
- Tofstecher/Tofstecherin
- Tissue Drill/Tissue Drill
- Fabric dyeing machine/fabric dyeing machine
- Walker/Walker's
- Washer / Washer
- Cigar machine/cigar machine
- Zingisel/Zingiselin
- Twister/Twister
(Keke)
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