We believe it is important for apprentices to develop their language and social skills, alongside their specialist banking training. During the Julius Baer Apprentices Programme, we therefore stage the following events.
Experience weeks
In each year of the training programme, we hold an "experience week" during the autumm holidays. This is primarily about two things: complementing brainwork with physical work, and office air with nature. It's not really a holiday, but a highly rewarding change.
Language project week
Prior to the start of the second year of the programme, we arrange for apprentices to spend two weeks of the summer holidays improving their language skills in a French or English-speaking country. This gives them an opportunity to practise their foreign language skills in everyday situations. Through collaborating on a joint project, it also enables them to familiarise themselves with different cultures and peoples. There's only one rule: "You're not allowed to speak German"!
Sport and study days
To put the finishing touches together in readiness for the final apprenticeship examination, we head off for a study week just before the exam. We go through the banking and training material once again as a group in order to prepare ourselves fully for the final examination. As recompense for the brainwork involved, apprentices get to spend three to four hours each day skiing.