Information for migrants

The Career Information Centres «biz» (abbreviation for Berufsinformationszentrum) provide counselling and assistance with your questions regarding occupational careers in Switzerland.

Each biz has a so-called information counter where you can find free information material (in German) and learn more about education, training and careers in Switzerland.

For a short personal counselling in German, you can drop by your local biz unannounced during the opening hours of the information counter.

During short consultations at the information counter, you can ask questions about career and training. Career counsellors will answer your questions and refer you to other specialist departments if needed. 

Career counselling covers topics such as:

• Profession, academic studies, education and continuing education
• Labour market integration, searching and applying for jobs
• Recognition of foreign diplomas
  
• Professional qualification courses for adults
• Financing education and continuing education programmes
  

Education-check

What is the education-check?

Advantages:

• Advice and information on the education system and vocational training in Switzerland
• Information on offers for preparing for a vocational apprenticeship
• Recommendations for the next stage of training

Who is the education-check for?

You …

Advantages:

• … are between 15 and 40 years old.
• … were 15 years of age or older when entering Switzerland.
• ... have a residence permit B (EU/EFTA or for third-country nationals) or a settlement permit C (EU/EFTA or for third-country nationals).
  
• … currently live in the Canton of Zurich.
• … have questions about the education system and vocational training in Switzerland.
• … do not have a professional qualification (or higher education qualification)
  
• … would like to learn a profession in Switzerland.

Diploma recognition

If you have completed your vocational training in another country, you can have the «value» of your diploma assessed in Switzerland. There are various Recognition Authorities for foreign qualifications and professions. Depending on whether your profession is regulated or not, the recognition procedure may vary:

• If you wish to practise a regulated profession, a recognition (i. e. certificate of equivalence) is required. You can find a list of regulated professions on: www.sbfi.admin.ch.
  
• If you wish to practise a non-regulated profession, recognition of the foreign diploma is not necessary. In this case, the diploma provides direct access to the labour market. However, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI recommends obtaining a statement of comparability. This kind of statement rates the foreign diploma in comparison with the Swiss educational system.
  

The Department of Education itself does not recognise diplomas or professional qualifications. 

On the information platform www.recognition.swiss you can find out whether recognition of your professional qualifications is required and which agency you can contact.

Info event for migrant parents

How to choose a career and look for an apprenticeship in Switzerland

Your child is at secondary school.
However, you need to improve your German.
You have a lot of questions.

• What type of careers are available?
• What is a basic vocational education (apprenticeship)?
• What is a vocational school-leaving certificate (BM)?
• Who can help in choosing a career?

Target group

• Parents of young people in secondary school
• Family members and interested parties

Participation is free of charge. Registration necessary.

Dates

next dates will follow in summer 2025