New employment opportunities for people with S status in Switzerland
Switzerland is preparing a new professional integration programme for people with S status, especially for Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. The initiative is being developed by HotellerieSuisse and GastroSuisse to support employment in the hospitality sector.
The project will offer easier access to basic vocational training in hospitality and gastronomy. The concept has already been presented to Federal Councillor Beat Jans.
The programme will combine training with hands-on work experience. Participants will first complete basic training and then work four days a week in hotels, restaurants, and cafés. One additional day per week will be dedicated to language learning and professional theory classes.
After completing the programme, participants may continue working at the same company where they completed their practical training or continue with a traditional Swiss apprenticeship programme (apprentissage).
The initiative aims not only to help people integrate more quickly into Swiss society and the labour market, but also to help address staff shortages in the hospitality sector.
The pilot programme is expected to launch in the cantons of Lucerne and Basel-Stadt. In the future, the project may also expand to other regions of Switzerland.
