Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship with a length of 3 or 4 years are the most common ones. The certificate awarded after successfully completing a 3 or 4-year apprenticeship is called "Certificat Fédérale de Capacité" (), "Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis" (EFZ) or "Attestato federale di capacità" (AFC).
Irish Army Apprentice School
Apprentices under the age of 18 were also required to have their parents' written permission to be able to enlist. Their contract was for a four-year apprenticeship and they signed up for a period of 9 years service, which could later be extended to the standard 21 years service if the apprentice so wished.