The Canton of Bern has emerged as the top performer at the Swiss Skills 2025 championships, securing a total of 66 medals. The national vocational competition, which took place from September 17 to 20, saw over 1,000 young professionals from across Switzerland demonstrate their expertise in 92 different occupations.
Key Takeaways
- The Canton of Bern won the most medals with a total of 66.
- Over 1,000 young professionals competed in 92 different vocational fields.
- The cantons of Glarus and Nidwalden had the highest success rate relative to their number of participants.
- The competition for druggists was held for the first time, with Andrea Zihlmann from Solothurn winning gold.
- Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin congratulated all 92 newly crowned Swiss champions.
Bern Leads the Nation in Medal Count
The final results from Swiss Skills 2025 confirm the Canton of Bern's strong position in vocational training. With 66 medals, Bern's young talents significantly outnumbered competitors from other regions. The performance highlights the canton's commitment to developing a skilled workforce across a wide range of industries.
Following Bern in the medal standings was the Canton of St. Gallen, which earned a respectable 34 medals. The Canton of Zürich secured the third position with 28 medals. This distribution showcases the competitive landscape of professional education throughout the country.
Medal Standings by Total Count
- Bern: 66 Medals
- St. Gallen: 34 Medals
- Zürich: 28 Medals
The four-day event provided a platform for apprentices and recent graduates to showcase their abilities under competitive pressure. A total of 150 different professions were presented to the public, while championships were held in 92 of them, ranging from sealing technology to carpentry.
Smaller Cantons Shine with Proportional Wins
While Bern took home the highest number of awards, an analysis by the Swiss Skills Foundation revealed a different picture when considering the number of participants from each canton. Based on this proportional metric, the smaller cantons of Glarus and Nidwalden were the most successful.
This data suggests that these cantons have highly effective training programs that produce top-tier talent, even with a smaller pool of competitors. Following Glarus and Nidwalden, the cantons of Solothurn and Thurgau also demonstrated exceptional performance relative to their delegation size.
This alternative ranking underscores the quality of vocational education across all regions of Switzerland, not just in the major population centers. It emphasizes that excellence in skilled trades is a nationwide achievement.
About Swiss Skills
Swiss Skills is the premier national championship for vocational professions in Switzerland. Held periodically, the event aims to promote the value of apprenticeships and professional education. It serves as a qualifying event for international competitions like WorldSkills and EuroSkills, where Swiss teams have historically performed very well.
New and Traditional Professions in the Spotlight
The 2025 edition of Swiss Skills was marked by both tradition and innovation. For the first time, a championship was held for the druggist profession. Twelve talented individuals competed in this new category, which involves expertise in pharmaceuticals, health, and customer consultation.
Andrea Zihlmann from the Canton of Solothurn made history by winning the inaugural gold medal. Her victory highlights the evolving nature of the Swiss vocational landscape, which now formally recognizes this important healthcare-related field in its national competition.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship
In contrast to the new additions, the masonry competition has a long and storied history. According to Swiss Skills, Swiss masons first competed in international championships back in 1978. They have been a core part of the national competition since its first central event in 2014.
This year, the gold medal in this highly respected trade was awarded to Robin Hollenstein from the Canton of St. Gallen. His success continues a long tradition of excellence in a craft that is fundamental to the construction industry.
National Recognition and International Ambitions
The achievements of the competitors did not go unnoticed by the federal government. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, who heads the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, extended his congratulations to the winners.
"You can be proud of your performance," Parmelin wrote in a message to the 92 champions on the social media platform X on Saturday evening, acknowledging their dedication and skill.
For many of these young champions, success at Swiss Skills is just the beginning. A strong performance at the national level makes them eligible to represent Switzerland at international competitions. The Swiss delegation has a strong track record on the global stage.
Just last week, Swiss Skills announced that the national team was the most successful nation at the recent European championships, bringing home a total of 11 medals. This international success reinforces the high standard of the Swiss dual-track vocational education system, which combines classroom learning with hands-on apprenticeship training.
The winners of Swiss Skills 2025 will now look forward to the opportunity to follow in those footsteps and prove their skills against the best in the world.