People

Fostering junior talent, Social responsibility

The Planzer training programme has its own brand, ‘The Vocation’.

planzer-lehrstellen.ch

Interview

Questions for the Planzer Training team

10 November 2025

‘Ready, steady, go!’ is our motto when it comes to recruiting and supporting talented young people and training them to become the skilled workers of tomorrow. Our Planzer training programme (ABI) supports young people on their path to a career and ensures that they grow not only professionally but also personally. Whether in the office, in the warehouse or on the road – our apprentices are an important part of the Planzer family from day one.

The Planzer training programme has its own brand, ‘The Vocation’.

planzer-lehrstellen.ch

Patrizia Manduca Planzer Ausbildung

‘We see vocational training as a central pillar of our corporate culture’

Patrizia Manduca, Head of Basic Occupational Training
// Planzer: What role does apprentice training play in Planzer’s corporate culture?
Patrizia: Training is very important to Planzer. As a family business, we place a high value on sustainability. This also means investing in the next generation of skilled workers. For us, apprentices are not just the ‘employees of tomorrow’, they are already an integral part of our team today. We see vocational training as a central pillar of our corporate culture and as an opportunity to directly pass on the values that Planzer embodies, such as our down-to-earth attitude, team spirit and quality.
// What are the medium to long-term objectives of Planzer ABI in the area of training?

Simon: We have a few goals.

  • We want to keep the approximately 400 apprenticeships in the company, secure them for the long term and further expand them so that 10% of the employee roles in our training companies are covered by apprentices.
  • A high completion rate is important to us. Our goal is for it to remain above 90%.
  • We are constantly evaluating new job profiles that are becoming increasingly important for the transport and logistics industry, for example in the fields of logistics and digitalisation. Reviewing and accepting new skilled occupations is therefore also an objective.
  • At the same time, we want to continuously adapt our existing professions to meet the demands of the labour market and keep them up to date.

‘A high completion rate is important to us. Our goal is for it to remain above 90%.’

Simon Von Arx, Director of Planzer Training
// How do we attract new apprentices and hold our own against the competition?

Patrizia: We take many different approaches here. We try to offer attractive conditions, such as a bonus for good school and work performance, covering the cost of school materials or financing a Half Fare Card. We also organise various events and activities for apprentices, such as the special Welcome Day right at the start of their apprenticeship, a special follow-up seminar and, of course, the apprentice camp. Our holiday policy, with eight weeks of holiday in the first year of the apprenticeship, seven weeks in the second and six weeks in the third, also contributes. This certainly appeals to many and we have had good experiences with it so far.

Through good supervision, we want to ensure that the students feel well supported and keep the drop-out rate as low as possible. Our vocational and practical trainers support apprentices individually and promote both professional and personal development.

And last but not least, employer branding is also an important factor. We use modern channels such as TikTok to show in an entertaining way what an apprenticeship at Planzer means. This is done by our own apprentices in front of and behind the camera – in the most authentic, approachable and genuine way possible.

// Is the shortage of skilled workers also noticeable in apprenticeships?
Simon: Yes, it is. It is particularly challenging to find suitable apprentices in manual-technical occupations such as road transport specialists. This also applies to other skilled trades in general. Commercial professions are still somewhat easier to fill. The shortage of skilled workers is therefore already being felt in the recruitment of apprentices.

‘The shortage of skilled workers is already being felt in the recruitment of apprentices.’

Simon von Arx, Director of Planzer Training
// To what extent does Planzer see apprentice training as a social responsibility?
Simon: The dual apprenticeship system in Switzerland is unique and a successful model that we want to actively support. We see it as our responsibility to offer apprentices prospects for the future. At the same time, through our apprenticeships, we are making a direct contribution to counteracting the shortage of skilled workers in the commercial and technical sector and enabling young people to enter the world of work.

Patrizia: It is particularly important to us to attract women to apprenticeships in the transport and logistics industry. Although these professions are still dominated by men, they can be performed just as well by women. We want to show that our apprenticeships are attractive to all genders.

// How do we ensure that our training will continue to meet the needs of the labour market and the company’s values in the future?
Patrizia: The further development of our apprenticeships requires ongoing reflection and adaptation. We maintain our network and identify trends and current issues through close collaboration with various industry associations and exchanges with other apprenticeship companies and vocational schools. We also invest in the training of our vocational and practical trainers so that they can support apprentices in the best possible way.
// Are there feedback mechanisms in place for apprentices, so that you can continuously improve training?
Patrizia: Yes, we rely on feedback opportunities after all central events and training modules and recommend that all participants maintain active communication and provide close support to apprentices. In addition, we have an internal cross-branch dialogue with our vocational trainers in profession-specific mutual exchange groups.
// Are new apprenticeships planned or under review?
Simon: Yes, we are constantly reviewing new job profiles. We are currently looking into the apprenticeship programme for federally certified mediamaticians, as digital communication and content creation are becoming increasingly important for our company. In August 2025, we will also be launching two new courses: federally certified logistics specialist with a focus on distribution and federally certified digital business developer in the ICT sector. In doing so, we are expanding our training portfolio to specifically include professions that meet the increasing demands of logistics, digitalisation and business development.

Planzer Training ‘Welcome Day’

// What exactly is the Planzer Training ‘Welcome Day’?
Patrizia: The ‘Welcome Day’ is a key part of starting at Planzer. All new apprentices from all our locations come together regionally, get to know the business and the size of the company and experience a strong sense of togetherness right from the start.
// What makes the ‘Welcome Day’ so special?
Patrizia: Right from the start, apprentices meet other apprentices from different locations, creating new friendships and networks. The day makes you feel like you’re part of something big. It is particularly valuable that existing apprentices play an active role in shaping the day and take on responsibility. The focus is on topics such as occupational health and safety, Planzer’s public image (dress code, image and social media) and the transition from school to apprenticeship with tips on learning strategies. During a scavenger hunt, the teams collect points via an app and a winning team is crowned at the end. The Welcome Day is a varied mix of information, fun and team spirit.
// Is there anything you would like to see for future Planzer apprentices, or anything you would like to pass on to them right now?
Patrizia and Simon: We hope that the apprentices approach their training with curiosity, openness, loyalty and commitment. When you do an apprenticeship at Planzer, you not only receive a sound education, but also values, team spirit and a strong network for life. Our tip: seize this opportunity and play an active role in shaping your future.

Similar posts