As someone living in switzerland and having done my apprenticeship here in computer science I don't think it's that hard to switch. Of course I speak of mostly personal experiences, but when you're in school you usually have two forms of classes still, general education, like math, language and so on. And then you have your field related stuff. Of course if you're learing IT you'll have more math than a cook apprentice, but still. After you have completed one apprenticeship (mine took 4 years), you can learn other jobs if you want at a very reduced time, 1 to 2 years usually.

If you're fresh out of university you'll have a ramp up time too as you said. At my previous company we much preferred people doing an apprenticeship for 2 years than having someone with a bachelor. Because they were significatly cheaper during those two years, while usually require only slightly more training.

We were never able to take someone straight from university and put them on a project.

> But you might find it hard to change industries, which is a problem at the moment for finance folks (major job cuts at the two Swiss investment banks).

Do you have any source for that? Genuinely curious, because I haven't heard about that beeing an issue.