Career Spotlight
80 young people and their families visit CERN and its learning center as part of the “Career Spotlight” program
An Immersion into the Heart of the Apprentices Environment
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Image: Zoom Métiers
The team of apprentices and professionals from the training center is ready to welcome visitors to Career Spotlight.
Many people are familiar with the “Career Spotlight,” which have become a must-attend event for students in the Cycle d’orientation in Switzerland, young people in the Geneva area who are in the process of choosing a school or career path, as well as their parents and teachers. Held on Wednesday afternoons from September through May, these sessions offer the opportunity to explore various professional fields through presentations by program directors and industry specialists.
CERN was delighted to participate in the event on February 5, the first of its kind held on its premises in 15 years. On that occasion, no fewer than 80 visitors came to explore its technical training center. CERN has a long tradition of vocational training, having welcomed its first apprentice to the laboratory in 1966. Today, it offers three four-year dual-track apprenticeship programs leading to a Federal Certificate of Competence. (CFC https://www.orientation.ch/dyn/show/1922) in the following areas:
- Multidisciplinary Mechanic
- Electronics Technician
- Physics Lab Technician
An Immersion into the World of Apprentices
After a welcome ceremony in the auditorium, where Mr. Miguel Jimenez, head of the Technology Department (TE), addressed the audience, visitors had the opportunity to explore several iconic facilities used for training programs at CERN:
- The Learning Center
- The Main Workshop
- The Superconductivity Laboratory
- The Cryogenics Laboratory
Tour of the superconductor laboratory with F. Girardot for visitors to Career Spotlight. Image: Zoom Métiers
Laetitia Dufay-Chanat, head of technical apprenticeships at CERN, highlighted the essential role played by CERN’s apprentices during this day of discovery and sharing: “I am particularly pleased that our apprentices were able to be at the heart of this event and share their experiences with the public. This gathering was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and highlight the training opportunities offered by CERN.”
“We are delighted to have introduced our visitors to this unique environment for learning and innovation, and we look forward to hosting more events like this.”
Valeria Perez Reale, head of the “Resources, Learning, and Safety” group within CERN’s Technology Department, concluded the day with these words: “We are proud to offer excellence in learning and innovation thanks to the expertise of the program coordinators, the internship supervisors throughout CERN, and our state-of-the-art equipment. Each year, an apprentice receives an award from the UIG, the Union Industrielle Genevoise.”
For more information on learning opportunities at CERN: https://careers.cern/apprentissages-au-cern