The workforce of tomorrow is one that has to be agile, connected across borders with hands-on experience of foreign professional environments.
Initiated by the cantons of Zurich and Vaud, and in collaboration with Swissnex locations and the Swiss Embassy in Washington D.C., NextStep is a newly launched professional mobility program supported by the Swiss exchange & mobility agency Movetia. The program is designed for young graduates of the Swiss vocational and educational training (VET) who have just obtained their federal vocational baccalaureate (FVB). NextStep, as the name suggests, allows Swiss graduate apprentices to gain a first and unique professional experience abroad within a foreign company. The trainees are immersed in a variety of professional internships for periods ranging from 3 to 12 months.
The NextStep candidates have at least 4 years of working experience as part of their VET training. The program enables them to enhance their professional competences and soft skills, to sharpen their understanding of different business cultures, foreign demands and needs, and finally to open up their career opportunities.
Class of 2025
In its second year, the NextStep program continues to grow, placing eight graduate apprentices across the United States. The 2025 cohort began their internships this summer in New York, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Meet our 2025 NextStep graduate apprentices:
• Simon Culinary Arts Embassy of Switzerland, Washington, D.C. From Canton Vaud
• Jade Commerce & Administration Embassy of Switzerland, Washington, D.C. From Canton Vaud
• Chevonne Graphic Design The New School, NY – Global Mental Health From Canton Zurich
• Kathya Administration – Marketing The New School, NY – Global Mental Health From Canton Vaud
• Inès Teaching & Admissions Bank Street School for Children, NY From Canton Zurich
• Shina Commerce & Administration The New School, NY – Center for Global Mental Health From Canton Zurich
• Engjell Avionics Install Technician Avidyne, FL From Canton Zurich
• Enzo Commerce and Administration The New School, NY – Global Mental Health From Canton Vaud
• Marc-Antoine UX/UI Design BuildWithin, Washington, D.C. From Canton Vaud
Pilot year
During its pilot phase, the program offered internship placements in 4 different destinations, including in the United States. The initial destinations had been selected based on their investment potential with local stakeholders, their close economic relations to Switzerland, and their renowned business dynamism and creativity: Brazil, Indian, Japan, and the United States.
The program intends to grow and expand geographically within the U.S. with new companies committed to a global workforce and willing to host Swiss VET interns. As partners and gate-openers in the various locations, Swissnex and the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States play a key role in consulting ideal sectors, interested firms, relevant stakeholders and institutions, and connecting them to the candidates.
Ultimately the NextStep program brings an additional layer in connecting our countries through professional mobility and individual experiences, fostering the understanding of new business cultures and the sharing of technical knowledge.
Interested in knowing more? Please contact the Science & Education Office at the Embassy of Switzerland.
