Here we go
An apprenticeship at ETH Zurich: 16 youngsters have just started their apprenticeship in the Department of Physics. Future electronics technicians, IT technicians, a designer, physics lab technicians, polymechanics and a saleswoman will enrich the department with fresh ideas and plans for the future, and will benefit from the creative research environment. On the 22 August, after the first week at their new apprenticeship, the apprentice trainers welcomed them with a barbecue.
The Department of Physics makes an important contribution to the education of future professionals with its various training programmes. But also the future of a well-qualified support team for research and industry relies on the next generation. For example, it is not so easy today to find good physics lab technicians for lab support. Or electronics technicians for devices that are typically individually designed and built for experiments in basic research.
Why an apprenticeship on the Hönggerberg campus?
Some have always been interested in electronics and have now successfully applied for an apprenticeship as an electronics engineer. Others became only enthusiastic about the profession when visiting an electronics course in the last school year or at a professional fair. In particular, soldering and the ability to produce functional devices has motivated many to start an apprenticeship. Peer Wohlwend, one of the first-year apprentices, was inspired to become an electronics apprentice by his brother, who talked enthusiastically about his work at home. He is convinced that the profession has a future and that electronics technicians will continue to be needed everywhere in the future, as electronic devices will not disappear from our everyday life anytime soon.
Occupations with great diversity
His colleagues Simon Moser and Peer Zeller are queuing at the welcome barbecue. They opted for an electronics apprenticeship mainly because of the variety it offers. They are looking forward to drawing blueprints on the computer, to learning to program and at the same time gaining craftsmanship. In contrast to a doing an apprenticeship in industry, where serial production is an important topic, they expect to be able to build prototypes for research. In addition to the reputation of ETH Zurich, this is one of the most frequently cited reasons why the apprentices hoped for an acceptance message from the trainers in the Department of Physics.
From apprenticeship to studying
The vocational school (Berufsmittelschule) offers also an opportunity that Mohamed Axmed Macow has in mind: He started his apprenticeship as a physics lab technician and is thus laying a solid foundation for his later studies as an engineer in electrical engineering and information technology, which he also wants to complete at ETH Zurich.
The apprentices are convinced that after their training they will have a wide range of employment opportunities. For most of them it's clear that the apprenticeship they just started is a first step into an entire professional life.
Further information
Information on basic and specialized training, vocational schools and vocational diplomas, traning and performance documentation and applications can be found on the pages on vocational training at the Department of Physics.