Creating Apprenticeships in Switzerland: the case of the cableway mechanics

Collective skill formation systems thrive if employers’ needs are reflected in apprenticeship training programmes and firms offer positions. Occupation-level adaptation processes underpin these systems, which upper-secondary level vocational education leading to hundreds of occupations. Yet, it is considered challenging introduce new apprenticeships sectors without tradition. Based on the case newly created cableway mechanic occupation, this paper suggests that institutional context combination with effortful work allowed a business association small occupation Swiss system. The mobilised firms, legitimised towards public authorities, lobbied for more financial support, fought gain apprentices. Ten years after introduction, finally, difficulties were overcome, institutionalised educational landscape.