OSVS Training Association For Cable Car Apprenticeships Starts Its Second Year

In August 2025, the OSVS (Austrian Association for Cable Car Apprenticeships) will begin its second year. The first twelve months clearly demonstrate that inter-company cooperation in training is paying off. While there were 15 apprentices in the first year, in the next year, 19 apprentices from Eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein will be completing their training as cable car mechatronics technicians (EFZ) or cable car operators (EBA) within the training association. The trend is increasing, toward the target of 24 apprentices.

Broadening horizons through exchange weeks and specialist courses

The apprentices particularly benefit from the exchange weeks with other companies. They gain insight into various cable car systems and learn about different working methods. Specialist courses such as "Personal Protective Equipment against Falls from a Height" or "Fire Protection" complement the on-the-job training and ensure consistent quality standards.

Targeted improvements through experience

The experiences of the first year also influenced the further development. A special focus is placed on communication and structured feedback processes. These are crucial for the individual development of learners. Roger Walser, Managing Director of OSVS, is convinced: "The first year has clearly confirmed that it was the right decision to join forces. The learners receive not only a varied but also high-quality training."

Interview with Fabio Müller, vocational trainer at Bartholet Maschinenbau AG and coordination office OSVS training association for cable car apprenticeships:

What role did feedback from the first year of training play in planning the second year?
"We received a lot of feedback from both trainees and companies – especially regarding interfaces, communication, and documentation. We drew clear conclusions from this. We work with standardized feedback processes that make learning progress more visible and also involve companies more closely."

How do you manage to coordinate the deployment of all 19 apprentices over four years of training?
"Deployment planning is a challenging task. We have to consider many interests and operational requirements. Our goal remains to provide all apprentices with meaningful, constructive, and varied deployments – even across cantonal borders."

What do you personally value about working in the apprenticeship network?
"It's wonderful to see how the apprentices grow through the transition between companies. The openness with which they embrace new things is impressive. The apprenticeship network is very rewarding, not only professionally but also personally."

Operational planning 2025/26 completed

The placements of all apprentices have been planned for the 2025/26 training year. Coordination is again being handled by Bartholet Maschinenbau AG in Flums. The goal is to provide each apprentice with optimal professional development through targeted placements and continuing education.

Preview: National Taster Days 2026

The national "Call of Heroes" taster days will take place again on March 23 and 27, 2026. The OSVS training association will also offer interested young people trial placements at its member companies, giving them the opportunity to gain practical insight into the professions of cable car mechatronics technician (EFZ) and cable car operator (EBA). Information is available at http://www.seilbahnprofis.ch/

OSVS Training Association for Cable Car Teaching

The OSVS Training Association for Cable Car Apprenticeships is an inter-company training initiative that promotes closer collaboration between cable car companies and specialists. The goal is to inspire more young people to join the industry and sustainably improve the quality of training. Fifteen companies are part of the OSVS Training Association for Cable Car Apprenticeships, divided into training companies, placement companies, and training partners: https://seilbahnprofis.ch/#lehrverbund. The OSVS Training Association for Cable Car Apprenticeships is supported with federal funds from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

The OSVS is an official regional association of Swiss Cable Cars (SBS) and represents the mountain railways and ski lifts in the cantons of AI, AR, GL, SG, TG, and ZH, as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein. The regional association's mission is to represent the interests of mountain railways in Eastern Switzerland vis-à-vis politicians, authorities, and the public. As a regional association, the OSVS coordinates the exchange of information with the national umbrella organization of Swiss Cable Cars and organizes courses and joint projects for its member companies.