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Magazine In Graubünden
Find the right skilled professionals
Thanks to the high quality of life in the canton of Graubünden, we can recruit specialists from across Switzerland and neighbouring countries without difficulty.
Magdalena Martullo-Blocher CEO of the EMS Group
Skilled professionals with prospects
Recruit regionally and beyond
With around 110'000 people in employment, Graubünden has a strong regional pool of skilled professionals. Thanks to its strategic location in the tri-border region and its wider catchment area encompassing Eastern Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, Vorarlberg and Northern Italy, the location offers companies additional opportunities to recruit qualified employees. Attractive location conditions and a high quality of life create excellent conditions for successfully attracting talent and retaining it in the region over the long term.
Practice-oriented training
Apprenticeships as a strong basis for skilled labour
Graubünden benefits from a strong vocational education and training system, one of the success models of the Swiss labour market. Around two thirds of all young people choose an upper-secondary vocational programme after compulsory schooling and gain valuable practical experience while still in training. The dual education system combines practical training at an apprenticeship company with classroom teaching at a vocational school, creating a reliable foundation for securing skilled professionals over the long term. Companies can train young talent at an early stage and prepare them specifically for their operational requirements. Company-specific expertise is therefore developed during the apprenticeship, while qualified professionals are retained by the company over the long term.
In 2023, 162 different apprenticeship occupations were available in the canton of Graubünden. Of these, 75 were taught directly at vocational schools in Graubünden. As the canton’s largest vocational school, the Gewerbliche Berufsschule Chur (GBC) trains around 2'800 apprentices and students in 57 federally recognised occupations. Together with the other vocational schools, it makes an important contribution to securing skilled professionals.
Talent, research and knowledge transfer
The University of Applied Science of the Grisons as a location factor
With specialisations in photonics and optoelectronics, robotics, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and computational and data science, the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FHGR) specifically trains professionals for future technologies. The degree programmes are complemented by application-oriented research in the following strategic thematic areas of applied future technologies, development in alpine regions and entrepreneurial action. Companies benefit from direct access to qualified professionals, joint research and development projects, and close knowledge transfer that accelerates innovation and strengthens competitiveness.
Major Areas of Study at FHGR
| Engineering and Industry | Optoelectronics, Mobile Robotics and Engineering |
|---|---|
| Digitalization and AI | Computational and Data Science, AI in Software Engineering, Digital Business Management, Information Science, Multimedia Production, Digital Communication and Creative Media Production and User Experience Design |
| Construction and Architecture | Architecture and Civil Engineering |
| Economics and Management | Business Administration, Data Visualization, Digital Business Management and Digital Supply Chain Management |
With the new university of applied sciences centre, the canton is investing a total of CHF 178 million in the future of Graubünden as an education and research location. In 2023, voters in Graubünden approved the project decisively with 83.1 per cent voting in favour, making a clear commitment to innovation, knowledge transfer and the training of future skilled professionals. From 2028, teaching and research will be brought together on a modern campus, further strengthening collaboration between higher education and business.
Develop expertise
Continuing education alongside employment
Graubünden offers companies and working professionals a wide range of opportunities to develop specialist knowledge in a targeted manner. In addition to the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, practice-oriented CAS, DAS and MAS programmes, colleges of higher education, and numerous industry-specific continuing education courses are available. The educational offering is complemented by institutions such as the ibW University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Business in South-Eastern Switzerland and other easily accessible education locations in Eastern Switzerland. Part-time degree and continuing education programmes allow companies to develop their employees in a targeted manner without losing valuable skilled professionals during their studies or training. At the same time, they benefit from new knowledge flowing directly into day-to-day work and the further development of the company.
Work and life in balance
Quality of life as a competitive advantage
Today, skilled professionals choose not only an employer, but also a place to live. Graubünden combines attractive career prospects with a high quality of life, short distances, a well-developed public transport network and a safe residential environment. Attractive housing, an extensive range of leisure activities and family-friendly conditions enhance employer appeal and help companies attract and retain qualified employees over the long term.
