Recruiting good learners is a challenge for many companies. Skilled technical and manual professions are not at the top of young people's wish lists, even though they are extremely Interesting and versatile. Nevertheless, we have succeeded in filling our apprenticeship positions with ideal candidates in recent years. The solution: Our traditional Habegger Information Taster Day.
Irregular working hours, strenuous physical activity and a four-year apprenticeship instead of a three-year one – training with us for a Swiss Federal Vocational Education and Training Diploma as an Event Specialist is not a walk in the park, and it puts off many would-be apprentices. Andreas Zwahlen, training manager at Habegger AG, is well aware of this: “Training as an event technician requires passion and dedication. However, people who have these qualities will end up with a backpack full of valuable experience, and they will be in great demand in the entertainment and event industry.”
Andreas Zwahlen talking to a former apprentice.
We have been able to fill all of our open apprenticeship positions with ideal candidates since we introduced our annual Information Taster Day 10 years ago. “Our taster day has made the entire recruiting process much more efficient”, said Andreas Zwahlen. During our taster day, interested youngsters get to know the various disciplines at first hand, they can also lend a hand and talk to Habegger apprentices about everyday work and the training period. Zwahlen also said: “We used to have a lot of applicants who only knew about the job from attending concerts, and they had romanticised ideas about it. Interest wavered as soon as construction or night work was mentioned”. He finds the taster day ensures that young people are optimally informed, and those who are already Interested become even more passionately enthusiastic about the profession and our company.
Munira setting up the “Pegasus” concert that was held at the beginning of october 2021.
Munira Baumann is one of those who became enthusiastic. She attended the taster day last year and she started her four-year apprenticeship with us in the summer: “Initially I was unsure whether an event manager apprenticeship was really something for me. The taster day made my decision easier. Looking back, I’m very happy that I participated”.
Interested youngsters once again gathered in Regensdorf back in September. They received in-depth insights into the audio, lighting, rigging and video worlds. The only downside: Whereas more than 20 participants registered for the day in previous years, this time there were only seven. “The ban on events has done us a disservice in terms of recruiting” said Andreas Zwahlen, adding, “Well-trained specialists are more important than ever before.” The market for trained event technicians has narrowed. As a result of Covid-19, many companies had to close down, and many workers found that they had to reorient themselves.
Zoé Bachmann sees her future in the events sector.
Zoé Bachmann, who participated in this year’s taster day, was not deterred by this. By the end of an eventful day, she had decided: “I was very enthusiastic about the event sector before, but now I really want to work in this part of it”. Which two candidates will follow in the footsteps of Munira and her colleagues in summer 2022 will be decided in January. People whose hearts beat for event technology can still apply for the three vacant apprenticeships up till then. We also take on a new apprentice in the Kursaal in Bern every other year, in addition to the two apprenticeships available in Regensdorf.
Are you also interested in an apprenticeship as an event specialist, to qualify for a Swiss Federal Vocational Education and Training Diploma?
Then apply now!
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