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From apprenticeship to leader – vocational training as a career booster
Griesser has been training apprentices for generations, creating sustainable careers and expertise for future generations.
From apprenticeship to leader: Griesser shows how vocational training connects generations
Apprenticeships remain the backbone of Swiss industry – and companies like Griesser prove that it is much more than just a start to professional life. For decades, the innovative sun protection company from Eastern Switzerland has been training apprentices in various professional fields, thus creating sustainable careers and expertise for future generations. Two examples of impressive career paths that have their origins at Griesser are Miriam Frei, who is now the managing director of "Karl's kühne Gassenschau" and Matthias Perotto, who is working in a central management position at Griesser 36 years after his commercial training.
Tradition meets future – a family business with responsibility
Since its founding, Griesser has lived pioneering spirit – in its products, its innovative strength and its training. The company has been training apprentices in various professions for decades. The range of training courses has been steadily expanded in recent years. Today it comprises eight apprenticeships. These include automation technicians, sun protection and blind technology specialists, computer scientists (specialising in application development and platform development), business administrators, design engineers, logistics specialists and polymechanics. A total of 37 apprentices are currently completing their training at Griesser.
"Our apprentices are the skilled workers and leaders of tomorrow. We see them as the key to innovation, quality and the future viability of our company," says Urs Neuhauser, CEO of the Griesser Group. "The training is a central expression of our pioneering spirit: we invest in people who take responsibility and carry on our values."
Apprenticeship as the basis for professional success
The stories of former apprentices impressively show how lasting an apprenticeship at Griesser can be.
Miriam Frei, now Managing Director of the renowned "Karl's kühne Gassenschau", began her career in 1995 with a commercial apprenticeship at Griesser: "Even then, it was noticeable that you were part of a family business – with passion and identification. These values accompany me to this day. At Griesser, I learned to take responsibility and enjoy my work – that still shapes my management style." In particular, a familiar and personal working environment is still important to Miriam Frei, as she mentions: "We have a lot of long-standing employees, which I appreciate very much. It is also very important to me to know all my colleagues personally."
Matthias Perotto, a former commercial apprentice and now head of the "Projects" business unit in direct sales at Griesser, also looks back gratefully: "My apprenticeship gave me a strong foundation on which I was able to build my entire career. Griesser gave me a sense of commitment, professionalism and the feeling of being part of a family – values that I pass on to my team today." Since joining Griesser 36 years ago, Matthias Perotto has also experienced a lot of support outside of his working life, as he explains: "During my training, I was part of a music band and Griesser sponsored our first concert posters for a regional open-air. I was particularly proud of that and grateful at the same time."
Apprentices actively shape the future
This spirit lives on to this day, as the voices of the current learners show. Noel Maywald, an aspiring sun protection and blind technology specialist, is one of them. The 17-year-old likes his varied everyday work: "What I appreciate most is the variety and the trust that is placed in us. We are allowed to take responsibility and learn something new every day. That motivates me to do my best." Whether Noel will continue his professional career at Griesser is still open: "I would like to study, but I can very well imagine working at Griesser again afterwards. The family company atmosphere, which is important to me, is unique here."
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