The future is already here

When apprentices begin their training at ETH, many things seem strange to them at first, from everyday working life through to the highly technical, diverse and international environment at ETH Zurich. They generally get used to it all very quickly, learning the working methods they need, how to work in a team and how to interact with customers.

The end of their training marks the next major step: moving from the university to the job market. Various apprentices and vocational trainers reminisced about this at the 2019 apprentice graduation ceremony, which took place on Thursday evening in ETH’s main building with the motto “The Future is Now”. Their memories have been captured on video.

The art of asking questions

“You can’t complete vocational training alone,” said Lukas Vonesch, Head of Human Resources at ETH. “It requires the assistance of the vocational trainers, who are incredibly committed to giving the apprentices the support they need.” He advised the new young professionals not to plan their future too strictly, but to be open and courageous when faced with new, unexpected opportunities.

“We’re not throwing you in at the deep end; you have to dive in for yourself and conquer the future on your own terms,” said Vonesch, and gave each graduate apprentice a dry bag to take with them on their professional journey. Dry bags keep things dry in rain or water.

David Müller, Head of the Services department, exhorted the young professionals not to forget the art of asking questions. “Apprentices are an inspiration,” he said. “Their questions help ETH and its departments to continue to develop.”

Following David Müller’s speech and the awarding of the diplomas, the graduate apprentices were invited to ETH’s Dozentenfoyer.