Eight administrative staff members, four building cleaners, six facility maintenance specialists, and one carpenter sat for their final apprenticeship exams this spring - and every single one of them passed with flying colors. Five achieved top marks, with three of the building cleaners even finishing first in their field. We asked the graduates about their experiences during their apprenticeships.
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Among the top five are Ladina Bösinger, a business administrator, and Sohan Näf, a facilities maintenance specialist. They completed the qualification process with perfect scores of 5.2 and 5.3, respectively. We documented the experiences and goals of these young professionals in the following interview.
Ladina Bösinger, Business Administrator EFZ (final grade 5.2)
Whatever it is - the way you tell your story online can make a huge difference.
What did you enjoy most during your training at ISS?
LADINA: I’ve always had a real knack for numbers, which is why I specialized in accounts receivable. Some people might find it monotonous, but every invoice is different - there are always multiple ways to solve a problem. It challenges you and requires you to come up with your own ideas - I find that very exciting and varied.
SOHAN: I’ve always wanted a career that’s as versatile as possible. During the training program to become a facilities maintenance specialist, you get insights into a total of 19 different professions - which is, of course, very varied. I work on the ISS team at the Üetlihof - the largest office building in Switzerland. I particularly enjoy the technical side of the job. You never know what’s coming next, and you learn something new practically every day.
Sohan Näf, Facility Maintenance Specialist EFZ (final grade 5.3)
Whatever it is - the way you tell your story online can make a huge difference.
Did you imagine your apprenticeship would turn out the way it ultimately did?
SOHAN: I was surprised at how quickly ISS empowers you to take on responsibility and actually entrusts you with it. Some days I was on my own in the building and could complete certain tasks independently. I had imagined the training would be easier, but I’m very grateful that I was able to gain so much experience.
LADINA: I initially started my apprenticeship at another company, and there I actually had to make coffee and water the flowers. But fortunately, at ISS, everything was completely different from the stereotype: Here, I’ve been challenged and supported with exciting tasks right from the start.
What was the most important thing you learned during this apprenticeship?
SOHAN: For me, it’s how to interact with people. No matter how different we are or what’s going on, I’ve learned how to work together as a team while always treating each other with respect.
LADINA: I think it’s the combination of everything I learned in school. With the broad knowledge you gain from the ISS business administration apprenticeship, you’re practically ready to start and run your own business.
What are your plans after the apprenticeship?
LADINA: First, I’ll stay at ISS and hopefully transfer to a team in Western Switzerland for a while to learn French. In a few years, I definitely want to go traveling - to Asia and Australia. But who knows: Maybe my journey at ISS will continue after that.
SOHAN: I’m going to take a vacation in the U.S. After that, I’ll be lucky enough to stay with my team and take on a position that’s a really good fit for me. Then I’ll be taking a hands-on training course on rescuing people trapped in elevators, as well as a sprinkler system course and an accounting course. I’d also like to complete the continuing education program to become a maintenance specialist.
What would you say makes ISS special?
SOHAN: I think ISS really cares about its employees and supports them in their professional development. For example, if you want to take a course, they don’t put obstacles in your way - instead, they help clear the path for you. I think that’s anything but a given.
LADINA: I think it’s the coming together of so many different people who all work together, always greet each other, and are friendly toward one another.
Brigitte Hotz, Head of Talent Management at ISS Switzerland
For the past 20 years, we have been training about 30 apprentices per year in three different trades, and we are committed to ensuring that about two-thirds of our graduates can continue their professional careers at ISS.
From left to right: Maekele Mahray, Elvina Hodza, Sâmia Silva de Sousa
ISS Switzerland has trained the top three building cleaners
In addition to the already encouraging exam results, ISS Switzerland has achieved a very special milestone: Of all the building cleaners who graduated this year in German-speaking Switzerland, three of our apprentices took first through third place with a final grade of 5.2. Brigitte Hotz, Head of Talent Management at ISS Switzerland: “We’re proud to offer an environment where young talents can reach their full potential.” The three tell us themselves what they were thinking when the grades were announced.
Elvina Hodza
“I was a little surprised, but I also expected it because we were extremely well-trained and prepared for the exams. Three years ago, this was all a whole new world to me, but then I grew into it step by step. There were ups and downs, but I was able to get through it all - thanks in part to the support of Slavischa Nikolic. At ISS, you have the resources you need to get where you want to go.”
Maekele Mahray
“I knew I was well prepared, but I was still nervous before the grades were announced - especially because of the language. I came to Switzerland from Eritrea in 2014 and have learned a great deal at ISS over the past three years. I find my profession very exciting and would like to continue developing my skills. Above all, though, I’d like to thank Mr. Nikolic; he gave us lots of good advice and was always there for us.”