Helping youngsters to choose what career to embark on

Not long ago the Trades Association in Steinhausen, headed by Martin Hausheer, organised a careers advisory evening at the civic offices there to help youngsters decide on what jobs they might like to do in life.

All of the youngsters in attendance were able to her all about the dual system of education which prevails in Switzerland, not least on how this ensures youth unemployment is able to be kept low in the country.

One highlight of the evening was a subsequent discussion between the youngsters themselves, teachers and various representatives of schools.

A guest speaker on this occasion was Stephan Schleiss, the current head of the cantonal government who is also responsible for the cantonal Department of Education. In a light-hearted way, he mentioned how he had heard of one method in how to choose the right profession. “All you need is for a bible, a bottle of schnaps and a hundred-franc note to be placed on a table and ask the youngsters which they would choose. Anyone who chooses the bible is clearly right for the priesthood, whereas those who choose the banknote have a leaning for business, with those opting for the schnaps suitable for a career in writing,” he said, before adding that those who wanted all three were right for a career in politics.

On a more serious note, the Landammann, to give Schleiss his official title as head of the cantonal government, also pointed out the advantages of the dual education system and helping to keep youngsters in work.

In his speech, Hausheer mentioned how the youngsters had the support of so many people present that evening, counsellors, teachers and parents, not to mention those representatives of an older generation who had made a success of their chosen career in trade and industry who were ready to proffer their valuable advice.