Mentoring Program of the Canton of Zurich
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With the right network to the job.

«With the mentoring programme, we want to enable qualified job seekers to re-enter employment quickly. Work-seekers, mentors and companies can profit from the new service.»
Carmen Walker Späh, Government councillor of the Canton of Zurich and Head of the department for Economic Affairs

Mentoring – an unbureaucratic access to the specialists networks.

The mentoring program – new prospects for job-seekers and companies.

Close to the job market the service of the RAV for qualified and experienced job-seekers.

The Network Idea.

The Swiss economy faces a number of challenges. One of those is the lack of qualified staff in a range of sectors and disciplines. At the same time, Switzerland is failing to tap into a potential resource: the pool of highly-qualified and experienced staff over the age of 45. Many in this category struggle to find a new opening after losing their job, generally through no fault of their own (see «Arbeitsmarktbericht 50+ des Kantons Zürich» German only). At the same time, there are employment opportunities available – but up to 80% are never advertised and filled using other channels. That emphasises the importance of having a network of contacts within a sector. Yet, the longest-serving staff are often the ones who have, over the years, lost contact with other firms. This is where the Mentoring Programme initiated by Canton Zurich with partners from trade and industry associations and individual employers takes effect: re-introducing these high-calibre candidates to a network. And everyone wins – the unemployed, the mentors and the businesses which support and can recruit from the programme.

The benefits for mentors.

The mentors are volunteers and receive no payment for their support. They are rewarded for their efforts in a number of ways, however. Getting involved is often a form of job enrichment. // Read more The mentors are volunteers and receive no payment for their support. They are rewarded for their efforts in a number of ways, however. Getting involved is often a form of job enrichment. They motivate candidates, can benefit from their experience and automatically add to their own network of contacts whether that’s via their own networking or via contact with the network of other mentors from different sectors with whom they can share their experiences. Becoming a mentor is also about being valued and having your capabilities recognised, whether that’s through the employer giving the mentor the time and opportunity to help or through the mentee putting their faith in the mentor or through the mentor’s commitment to their candidate, their sector and the wider economy. A direct benefit is the opportunity to take part in talks and horizon-scanning workshops organised by Canton Zurich and its partners. The Office of Economy and Labour provides the mentors with regular updates including its quarterly economic monitoring report. // Show less

The benefits for businesses.

The most immediate gain for businesses is that they get to know highly-qualified and experienced staff whom they may want to take on. // Read more The most immediate gain for businesses is that they get to know highly-qualified and experienced staff whom they may want to take on. The mentee brings with them knowledge of a sector and other companies which can be of benefit. The candidate may also offer new ways of contributing to the business e.g. through project work, part-time employment or a consultancy role. The mentors made available by a business experience job enrichment which retains motivation. The network developed by the member of staff during their mentoring activity is also of benefit to the business. Last but not least, businesses enhance their profile, as do the mentors, courtesy of their commitment to social responsibility. // Show less

The benefits for mentees.

Clearly, the most immediate benefit is gaining access to a professional network which may offer a new opening. // Read more Clearly, the most immediate benefit is gaining access to a professional network which may offer a new opening. Additionally, the mentor with knowledge of their sector will introduce the mentee to new contacts, help in implementing a strategy to find a suitable position and share their experiences of job-hunting with the mentee. For the mentee, just as for the business, there may be new ways of working together: project work, part-time employment or a consultancy role. // Show less

Origins of the Mentoring Programme.

The number of qualified and experienced jobseekers registered with the regional Labour Exchanges in Canton Zurich is rising steadily. // Read more The number of qualified and experienced jobseekers registered with the regional Labour Exchanges in Canton Zurich is rising steadily. Those aged between 45 and 50 have to wait longer to find a suitable post. At the same time, businesses report a shortage of specialist staff. Among the other advantages they may bring to a business, mature professionals have the greatest potential to alleviate the impact of skills shortages in the short and medium-term in Switzerland. The Labour Exchanges in Canton Zurich responded by creating the Mentoring Programme and thereby facilitating the return to work for qualified and experienced staff. // Show less