Dual Training at STUDER: a First-class Start to Your Career

For STUDER, the dual training system is a crucial foundation for long-term success and part of the corporate culture. The Swiss technology company, known worldwide for its precision cylindrical grinding machines, therefore invests consistently and with great commitment in the next generation.

Timon Gerber didn't have to think long about where he wanted to do his training. The 18-year-old is one of the trainees at Fritz Studer AG in Steffisburg and is in his third year of vocational training as an automation engineer with a Federal Certificate of Proficiency (EFZ). This prestigious qualification allows graduates to enter the workforce directly in Switzerland. "I've always been fascinated by technology, and this profession is very varied and future-oriented," he says. The dual training system in Switzerland combines practical work in a company with theoretical instruction at a trade school. A typical training week for Gerber therefore consists of practical training at STUDER, one to two days at vocational school, and "inter-company courses" (ÜK). These are also a central component of dual vocational training in Switzerland and are usually organized by industry associations. STUDER is allowed to conduct these itself due to its excellent training infrastructure.

All over the world, STUDER machines produce high-precision components and tools for a wide range of areas of our modern lives, such as the semiconductor industry, cars, aircraft, the food industry, watches, and medicine. There are two main reasons for the exceptional quality: expertise in high-quality grinding technology developed over more than 113 years of company history, and a skilled and motivated workforce. "The dual training system plays a particularly important role for us in this regard. We train a large proportion of our staff ourselves; around ten percent of the workforce are trainees," explains STUDER CEO Sandro Bottazzo. As many of the young people as possible are offered permanent employment after successfully completing their training.

Eight EFZ Apprenticeships and a First-class Training Workshop

The trainees are supervised by five full-time and four part-time vocational trainers, as well as over 50 specialist trainers in the various departments of the company. In addition, the next generation benefits from an excellently equipped training workshop. In the past three years alone, two additional modern lathes and another milling machine have been purchased for the CNC specialist training area. "The trainees receive optimal support. The training is also very varied, as we regularly change departments to gain an insight into all areas of the company," reports Gerber from his own experience.

Young people can currently learn eight EFZ professions at STUDER. As a prospective automation engineer, Gerber is acquiring comprehensive skills in the fields of electrical engineering, automation, and digital control systems over a period of four years. The EFZ polymechanic apprenticeship also lasts four years. Young people acquire a wide range of mechanical and technical skills, such as manufacturing and machining workpieces from metals and plastics using lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, grinding machines. These skilled workers will later focus on the manufacture, assembly, commissioning, and further development of STUDER's high-precision CNC cylindrical grinding machines.

Unique Qualification in Grinding Technology

The company also offers a qualification that is unique in Switzerland: grinding technology. Polymechanic apprentices can choose this specialization at the end of their second year. "Grinding technologists complete a basic grinding course and a StuderWIN programming course at our Customer Center. They are then trained in production grinding, assembly technology, and in the test environment at our in-house Technology Center," explains Roger Leuenberger, Head of Vocational Training at STUDER. In the fourth year of training, further courses on all aspects of grinding follow. The company thus offers numerous career options, for example in project planning, application development, software engineering, assembly, sales, and even management.

STUDER offers a qualification that is unique in Switzerland: grinding technology. Polymechanic apprentices can choose this specialization from their third year of training onwards.

But no matter which vocational training program young people choose at STUDER, it is practice-oriented and provides optimal preparation for real working life. "Our apprentices in their third and fourth years of training do not work with practice pieces, but manufacture components for STUDER machines under real production conditions and high-quality standards," emphasizes Leuenberger. A focus on craftsmanship is also particularly important at STUDER as a mechanical engineering company. The training workshop is therefore not a separate training facility, but instead provides productive hours for the company. Young talents who want to get involved are also given special support. Timon Gerber, for example, was prepared within the company for his successful participation in SwissSkills.

STUDER Apprentices win Medals at Vocational Championships

These major vocational championships are held under the umbrella of the WorldSkills event where National teams from more than 80 countries compete in various categories, performing realistic and demanding tasks. The competitions are structured in a modular fashion: first, regional and national qualifications are held, followed by central training phases and finally the international finals, where young professionals are assessed according to set standards – often on real machines and equipment. The participation and success of apprentices demonstrate that their companies offer the highest quality training. In recent years, STUDER apprentices have repeatedly won gold, silver, and bronze medals at SwissSkills, EuroSkills, and WorldSkills. "This shows that dual training at STUDER is among the best in the world," says Leuenberger.

The EFZ Apprenticeships at STUDER

1. Automation engineer EFZ
2. Automation technician EFZ
3. Commercial clerk EFZ
4. Design engineer EFZ
5. Logistics specialist EFZ
6. Mediamatician EFZ
7. Polymechanic EFZ
8. Production Mechanic EFZ

STUDER continues to celebrate success at the Swiss and WorldSkills championships