Best ICT vocational trainer 2019

Lehre bei Swisscom

"Best ICT vocational trainer 2019": Meet & greet with Thomas Albori, learning mentor and Yvo Hofer, IT apprentice

Every year, ICT VET Switzerland honours companies and educational institutions that show above-average commitment to the ICT profession and its young professionals, thereby making a significant contribution to meeting the demand for skilled workers. At the ICT Award Night 2019, ICT specialists at all levels, from "apprentices to ICT professionals", were honoured for their outstanding achievements.

By Olivier Marti, Junior Employer Branding Manager

Thomas Albori, learning mentor at "Next Generation Swisscom", was right in the centre of the action. He was proud to accept the "Best ICT Vocational Trainer 2019" award, which was presented to him for the very first time. This award is particularly honourable, as Thomas did not nominate himself, but rather his apprentices came up with the idea of entering him for the award on their own initiative.

Thomas was available for an interview with one of his protégés, Yvo Hofer, a 4th year IT apprentice in application development.

Yvo, you entered Thomas for the prize together with other apprentices. Why him in particular?

I have never met anyone who is so committed to apprentices. When I started at Swisscom in 2016, I quickly realised that my assigned learning mentor was more than just an instructor who assigns tasks and corrects solutions. Tom is committed to his apprentices, regardless of their problems or opportunities, regardless of their year of training or occupation. Not only does Tom take his apprentices as they are - his commitment is also not tied to times or places. Wherever Tom sees a problem or a potential improvement, he is there to help.

Yvo, what exactly does an ICT apprenticeship at Swisscom look like?

During my training, I work on several projects that last between three and six months. I had to prove myself in an application process for each project. This prepares us optimally for the professional world.

Thomas, first of all, congratulations on this fantastic honour. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself and your career at Swisscom?

I started at Swisscom IT Services more than 19 years ago as a system manager and began providing specialised support for apprentices at an early stage. At that time, I was still working under the traditional vocational training system. After the new system was implemented, I provided technical support to apprentices as a project provider and finally moved to Swisscom Vocational Training as a learning mentor in 2007. I currently supervise 39 apprentices in the ICT specialist, mediamatics, interactive media design and PiBS informatics (practice-integrated bachelor's degree programme) professions. I also support asylum seekers in the pre-apprenticeship phase.

And Thomas, why is the ICT training at Swisscom so great?

Apprentices at Swisscom have enormous opportunities that are not simply "handed to them", but which they can utilise to their own advantage through motivation and initiative. Each and every apprentice can demonstrate a personalised training path at the end. This means that they all have their own individual skills backpack at the end of their basic training.

As Yvo has already mentioned, learners are confronted with recurring project searches, application and interview phases in order to be able to assert themselves on the labour market in the future.

Our vocational education and training system trains the attitude of lifelong learning.

What do you think makes a good learning guide, Thomas?

Individualised support tailored to the level of development and training. It is important to activate, challenge and encourage learners. As the name "learning guide" suggests, I want to be a guide for the learners, showing them opportunities and possibilities and not acting as a boss. This includes meeting the learners' concerns at eye level and taking them seriously. Giving them responsibility and allowing them to develop into independent young people - that is my goal.

Final question for you, Yvo: Was there a special moment during your apprenticeship that you associate with Thomas?

One particularly positive experience was the elimination of my fear of deciding whether or not to take part in the regional championships in IT (already in my second year of training). One conversation with Tom was enough: Fear of my possible poor performance turned into confidence about all the new experiences I would be able to take away with me.

Thank you both very much and all the best for the future!

On behalf of Swisscom, we would like to thank Tom for his dedicated commitment to our next generation, the apprentices, and are proud to have such professionals on board with us.

Want to find out more about Next Generation at Swisscom? Then click HERE.

Olivier Marti

Olivier Marti

Junior Employer Branding Manager

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