Ordinance on Learners in Basic Vocational Education and Training (Lernendenverordnung) - Scope

1. This regulation applies to the apprentices of vocational basic education in the cantonal administration, at the courts, the cantonal schools, the cantonal institutions, and at Solothurner Spitäler AG.

2. Exempted from this are vocational basic trainings that are completed exclusively at educational institutions, specifically in a training workshop or a training studio. These include

a) Watchmakers EFZ

b) Watchmaking workers EBA

c) Clothing designers EFZ

d) Clothing sewers EBA

1. The employment relationship of apprentices is of a private law nature.

2. It is primarily governed by the public law provisions of the federal government and the canton of Solothurn regarding vocational education, the provisions of the Federal Act on the Amendment of the Swiss Civil Code (Part Five: Code of Obligations) of March 30, 1911, concerning the apprenticeship contract, the Youth Employment Protection Ordinance of September 28, 2007, and the individual apprenticeship contract.

3. If no regulation can be derived from these provisions, the legislation concerning state personnel is applicable mutatis mutandis.

**1. Base Salaries (Base Index May 1993 = 100 Points)**

The base salaries in Swiss francs are divided into six levels, serving as the calculation basis for various vocational training programs. The base salary level constitutes the basic wage for the 1st year of training. The subsequent base salary levels correspond to the following years of training.

a) Base Salary Level 1: 600

b) Base Salary Level 2: 780

c) Base Salary Level 3: 1070

d) Base Salary Level 4: 1230

e) Base Salary Level 5: 1500

f) Base Salary Level 6: 2770

**2.** The base salary levels can be adjusted by the Personnel Office using a factor ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 if training-specific reasons or salary comparison considerations justify such adjustments.

**3.** The Personnel Office is responsible for assigning the base salary levels to each vocational training program. For vocational training programs offered exclusively by Solothurner Spitäler AG, this entity has a participatory right.

**4.** The salaries of trainees are adjusted for inflation in the same manner as those of state employees.

**5.** For training programs with consecutive apprenticeship contracts, individual compensations are agreed upon.

1. The apprentices shall receive a 13th monthly salary.

2. It shall be paid together with the December salary.

3. In the first year of apprenticeship, in the year of completing the apprenticeship, and in the case of early termination, it shall be paid proportionally with the final monthly salary.

1. In line with the individual employee performance evaluation, a performance bonus can be paid to the learners.

**1. Trainees receive bonuses for good performance upon completion of their apprenticeship for the following overall final grades:**

a) 200 francs for 5.0 and 5.1;

b) 300 francs for 5.2 and 5.3;

c) 400 francs for 5.4 and 5.5;

d) 500 francs for 5.6 and above.

**2. The bonuses are charged to the respective department and are paid out with the last monthly salary.**

1. Learners who undertake language stays as well as support and development courses during the period of their basic vocational training can claim a maximum of 20 working days per apprenticeship for this purpose.

2. Such requests are approved by the superiors if

a) the language stay, support, or development course does not affect vocational school lessons or inter-company courses;

b) the language stay includes language instruction and serves a language that is an examination subject.

1. Trainees receive a contribution towards the costs of language study trips and attendance of support and remedial courses.

2. The employer covers one quarter of the costs for language study trips, support, and remedial courses, but not exceeding a total of 1,000 francs per apprenticeship contract.

3. The contribution is only granted if proof of regular course attendance is provided.

4. The Personnel Office or the Solothurn Hospitals AG regulates the details of the application procedure and the accounting.

1. The apprentices are entitled to 25 days of vacation per apprenticeship year for the entire duration of their apprenticeship relationship.

1. Trainees are entitled to full salary in the event of illness and accident, subject to paragraph 2

a) during the 1st year of training for a period of three months;

b) during the 2nd year of training for a period of six months;

c) from the 3rd year of training for a period of twelve months.

2. The obligation to continue salary payment under paragraph 1 ceases in any case at the end of the apprenticeship.

1. Apprentices are entitled to the following paid maternity leave

a) In the 1st and 2nd year of apprenticeship for a duration of 14 weeks;

b) From the 3rd year of apprenticeship for a duration of 16 weeks.

1. Apprenticeships concluded before the entry into force of this regulation shall be finalized according to the provisions of the Ordinance on Apprentices of December 9, 2013.

2. For apprenticeships concluded before the entry into force of the amendment of November 27, 2018, the provisions in the version of March 21, 2017, shall apply.