Integrate work in the home office into the training of apprentices
Working from home has become established across industries in the wake of the Corona pandemic and in light of the new reality of work. This also has implications for training. So how can the home office be integrated into vocational training?
The Corona pandemic has hit young people hard and made their entry into the labor market more difficult. While the Swiss VET/PET system has proven to be resistant to the crisis due to the high flexibility of the workplace, various studies also show the downsides of the home office, especially for apprentices. Young people have suffered significantly more than other age groups as a result of the measures taken to contain the Corona pandemic. It is true that most professionals have had to adapt their way of working and interacting within a very short time. However, the challenges are even greater for first-year workers who have had little opportunity to gain experience in the labor market and establish routines. In most cases, they have not been adequately prepared for remote working. Vocational and practical trainers also perceived this form of remote training as particularly difficult.
Working in a home office also for apprentices?
A new survey conducted by the Swiss Commercial Association in June 2021 among more than 700 vocational and practical trainers in the commercial-business sector confirms the difficulties mentioned. Thus, 66% of the vocational and practical instructors surveyed perceived the supervision of learners in the home office in connection with Covid-19 as a challenge. Another 71% reported difficulties in performing their role as an educator. In addition, more than half of all vocational and practical instructors reported motivation problems among learners. In this context, the Swiss Commercial Association received many inquiries: What is the current legal basis? What do trainees need to know in order to work independently and efficiently in a home office? How can trainers ensure quality knowledge transfer at a distance?
Assuming that home office will continue to have a permanent place in office professions in the future, the Swiss Commercial Association is of the opinion that there is a need for action: "Apprentices and vocational and practical trainers must be better and more systematically prepared for the work situation of home office. In order to protect trainees, rules are needed that allow home office work during training, but also limit it. In any case, the mental health of the apprentices must be taken care of," emphasizes Kathrin Ziltener, Head of Basic Education & Youth Counseling at the Swiss Commercial Association.
Remote working is becoming commonplace in the commercial sector
It can be assumed that the working reality of many professions, especially the commercial professions, will continue to be characterized by remote work in the future. "Learners should also learn about this way of working in their training and learn the right strategies as well as how to handle it correctly," Ziltener continues. It is also important that apprentices are supported in obtaining the necessary equipment to perform home office work. However, home office during apprenticeship must also be limited in time: In its new fact sheet for vocational and practical trainers, the Swiss Commercial Association therefore suggests a guideline of one day per week. Young people are more dependent on exchange, both with their peers and with their trainers, than adults. Ziltener confirms: "It takes a lot of sensitivity and attention on the part of the vocational and practical trainers for the needs and health protection of the learners. The lack of exchanges and the feeling of being on your own in the home office have a strong impact on the mental health of young people."
Demand to the Federal Council
Accordingly, the Swiss Commercial Association calls on the Federal Council to report on whether, in view of the changing work reality of apprenticeship companies, an adjustment of the Labor Act as well as the corresponding ordinances is in order; in particular under Art. 1 lit. of the Ordinance of the EAER on Hazardous Work for Young People over 15. Special attention should be paid to apprentices working in industries and companies where flexible forms of work are maintained or promoted even after the Corona pandemic. This is because in many sectors, special protection applies to young people under the age of 18 with regard to working hours, overtime, and from work that exceeds the physical and mental capacity of young people. In order to be able to ensure and check this protection in the home office as well, new competencies and improved protection of young people at work are needed. Daniel Jositsch, President of the Swiss Commercial Association, will submit a corresponding interpellation to parliament during the upcoming 2021 fall session.
Source: Swiss Commercial Association
