Apprenticeship Certificate in Switzerland (Lehrzeugnis): Content, Template and How It Differs from a Work Certificate

When an apprenticeship ends, the training company has to issue an apprenticeship certificate (Lehrzeugnis). Unlike an ordinary work certificate, the short version is the default. The certificate states the trade learned and the duration of the apprenticeship. It assesses skills, performance and conduct only if the apprentice or their legal representative asks for it.

What the law says

Art. 346a of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO (unofficial English translation):

1 At the end of the apprenticeship, the employer must provide the apprentice with a certificate setting out the requisite information concerning the vocational training acquired and the duration of the apprenticeship.

2 At the request of the apprentice or his legal representative, the certificate must also give information on the skills, achievements and conduct of the apprentice.

The ordinary work certificate under Art. 330a CO works the other way round. There, the full certificate is the rule and a confirmation of the nature and duration of employment is the exception.

In practice, most apprentices want a certificate with an assessment, because they'll use it to apply for their first job after the apprenticeship. Ask the question directly at the final review meeting instead of leaving it to chance.

Apprenticeship certificate, VET diploma and training report

Three documents are often confused. The training company issues the apprenticeship certificate, based on the Code of Obligations. The Federal VET Diploma (eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis, EFZ) or the Federal VET Certificate (eidgenössisches Berufsattest, EBA) is issued by the canton once the apprentice has passed the qualification procedure (Qualifikationsverfahren). It proves the vocational qualification but says nothing about the time at the company. The training report (Bildungsbericht) is written during the apprenticeship. In it, the VET trainer (Berufsbildner) regularly records where the apprentice stands. It's a working tool and doesn't replace the apprenticeship certificate.

The training reports are a good basis for a certificate with an assessment, though, because they document development over the whole apprenticeship.

What goes in an apprenticeship certificate

In the short version: name, date of birth, the trade with its exact title, for example "Commercial employee EFZ, services and administration sector" (Kauffrau EFZ, Branche Dienstleistung und Administration), start and end of the apprenticeship, place, date and signature.

With an assessment, add the departments or areas the apprentice worked in, their main duties, an assessment of expertise, willingness to learn, working style and conduct, and a closing with good wishes. Whether the apprenticeship was completed with the EFZ can be mentioned. The grades from the qualification procedure don't belong in it. They're on the grade transcript.

An apprenticeship certificate may sound younger than a certificate for an experienced professional, but it should be just as concrete. What the apprentice handled independently in the final year tells a future employer the most.

Template for an apprenticeship certificate with an assessment

Apprenticeship certificate

Mr Luca Meier, born on 9 May 2007, completed his apprenticeship as an ICT specialist EFZ, specialising in platform development, at our company from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2026. He completed the apprenticeship with the Federal VET Diploma.

During his apprenticeship, Mr Meier worked in support, in systems operations and finally in the development team. In his third year he independently managed internal user administration and automated the setup of new workstations, which saves our support team around an hour of work for each new hire.

Mr Meier learned quickly and asked questions when something was unclear. He worked carefully and reliably, and towards the end of his apprenticeship took on tasks we otherwise give to experienced staff. We were very satisfied with his performance.

VET trainers and colleagues valued Mr Meier for his helpful and calm manner. His conduct was always impeccable.

Mr Meier is leaving us after completing his apprenticeship to study for the vocational baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität). We thank him for his commitment and wish him every success in his further education and his professional future.

Bern, 31 July 2026

Muster AG
[Name], VET trainer · [Name], Head of IT

Common mistakes

• leaving out the assessment although the apprentice asked for it
• copying grades from vocational school or the qualification procedure
• a certificate made only of general qualities that names not a single duty
• forgetting the exact title of the trade, including the specialisation

Create an apprenticeship certificate in ZeugnyAI

ZeugnyAI has an apprenticeship certificate type. You enter the trade, the duration of the apprenticeship and the main duties, and rate expertise, working style and conduct on a scale of 1 to 5. ZeugnyAI turns that into an apprenticeship certificate with an assessment, in English, German, French or Italian.

Create an apprenticeship certificate with ZeugnyAI →

For the general structure of a certificate, see our Swiss work certificate template.

General information, not legal advice for individual cases.