Tuesday, July 15, 2025 – 13:01
A Swiss flag blows on a dome of the Bundeshaus on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 in Bern. (Keystone/Peter Klaunzer)
Burim Ahmetaj worked for a long time in industry without formal qualification. Article 32 of the Federal Professional Training Office (Offt) has finally enabled it to obtain a federal capacity certificate in the field of early childhood.
It was two years complicated, in everyday life, for me and my wife. But in the end I am very proud said Burim Ahmetaj, who has just celebrated an important moment for him and his family. At 45, he obtained his CFC (federal capacity certificate) as a socio-educational assistant.
A late diploma made possible thanks to article 32 of the order on vocational training. Intended for adults, this device is still little known to the general public. In the canton of Neuchâtel, which has just increased financial support for this route, around one hundred people won a diploma at the end of this school year, writes Arcinfo.ch.
With his benevolent gaze and his voice posed, now married and father of five, Burim Ahmetaj had, like many, a little chaotic youth. ”At 16 I started learning as a building painter,” he explains. “But I didn’t like it, so I stopped along the way.”
Finally, he found himself in the industry. First technician, then team leader and finally quality controller. For more than ten years, he climbed the ladder and followed several training courses, but still without official diploma, reports Albinfo.ch.
In 2017, a career opportunity for his wife upset the family organization and forced him to radically change CAP for the first time. “I had to be more available,” he recalls. “I asked to reduce my working time, but it was not possible. So I decided to resign and become a home father.”
For three years, he devoted himself entirely to his family, while reflecting on his professional future. His wife, active in early childhood, encouraged him to follow this path. “I already had a little experience,” he said. “But you had to be sure”.
With children becoming more independent, Burim Ahmetaj has decided to change jobs. A few months of internship in a crèche confirmed his choice. In 2020, he won a position at Isles to children at Areuse. “I worked there for a year, it was great,” he smiles. “During the covid pandemic, the crèche lacked staff, but then they could not keep me.”
A second chance
With the support of his management, he was engaged in La Chaux-de-Fonds, to my crèche under the stars, where he still works today. The question of training quickly arose. “There were tasks that I could not do, like taking the children at the exit,” he explains. “My wife and management encouraged me a lot. This is where I heard about article 32”.
Article 32, which entered into force on January 1, 2004 with the new federal law on vocational training, allows adults without a certificate or equivalent diploma but having professional experience to obtain a recognized title. This system gives access directly to the final examination of a profession (CFC or AFP) without going through conventional school training, but via modules or self-learning.
The canton of Neuchâtel was among the first to structure a support system. Piloted by the post -elementing training service (SFPO), which offers for example skills assessments, module plans and methodological support, the professional certificate for adults also benefits from financial support from the canton, recently reinforced.
Very grateful to the canton for the management of his theoretical training and towards his wife who supported him every day, Burim Ahmetaj obtained his CFC with mention and the best average of all the procedures of article 32.
But he will wait a few more days before going on vacation. At the request of the SFPO, he agreed to become “ambassador” of article 32 by turning a short promotional video which will be available online in September.
As for the future, it is already almost all traced. “This diploma opens me from the doors, allows me to expand my horizons. In September, I will go back to work at the areles to children, a place that I really liked. I will stabilize this for a year and after, why not, start a higher education as an educator of early childhood”.
