Career guidance enters a new phase with the arrival of SwissSkills City at the Città dei Mestieri della Svizzera italiana (City of Crafts) in Bellinzona. The initiative, promoted as part of the collaboration between the SwissSkills Foundation and the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS), offers young people, families, and citizens a concrete opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the world of work and vocational training.
Starting June 1st and throughout the summer season, the digital platform will be accessible through a dedicated installation within the City of Crafts of Italian-speaking Switzerland (CDMSI), allowing visitors to embark on an interactive journey through dozens of professions and production sectors.
A virtual city that tells the story of the world of work
SwissSkills City was designed as a true digital city. It encompasses 16 themed neighborhoods that recreate different professional environments, from farms to hospitals, including industrial areas, laboratories, services, and numerous other work environments.
The experience allows you to discover more than 120 professions through immediate and easily accessible language. The main content consists of short videos that demonstrate daily activities, tools, and work environments from the perspective of apprentices.
The choice to use dialogue-free videos makes the platform accessible regardless of the language spoken and helps eliminate communication barriers, encouraging an inclusive approach to discovering career opportunities.
A tool designed for the younger ones
The initiative is aimed specifically at girls and boys aged 10 and up, a stage of growth characterised by curiosity and interest in their professional future.
The goal isn't to preemptively direct people toward a definitive choice, but to foster awareness of existing professions and training paths. Through free exploration of different virtual neighborhoods, users can discover often little-known professions and better understand the skills required in various sectors.
Another distinctive element concerns the attention to the representation of professions without gender stereotypes, promoting a more open and realistic vision of the possibilities offered by the contemporary job market.
The role of the City of Crafts of Italian Switzerland
The digital experience isn't limited to using the platform. Visitors to the City of Crafts will be able to further explore the information gathered with the support of specialized career guidance consultants.
The structure, coordinated by the DECS Vocational Training Division, represents one of the main reference points for those seeking guidance on training, retraining, professional development, and career paths.
Alongside the installation dedicated to SwissSkills City, visitors will be able to use the multimedia documentation center and access numerous information resources useful for evaluating the various training opportunities available in Ticino and the rest of Switzerland.
A platform that can also be used from home
In addition to the station available in Bellinzona, SwissSkillsCity remains accessible free of charge online. The platform can be used in schools, during career guidance activities, or at home.
To facilitate exploration of the content, a guide has also been developed for parents, teachers, and students, which helps identify the most interesting professions and explore their characteristics, requirements, and prospects.
More information about the platform is available at the dedicated link.
A collaboration to enhance professional training
The arrival of SwissSkills City in Ticino is part of a broader strategy to promote vocational training. The SwissSkills Foundation, supported by the Confederation, the cantons, and professional organizations, is best known for organizing the Swiss Professional Championships, but also carries out numerous activities dedicated to promoting professions and apprenticeships.
The collaboration with the City of Crafts thus strengthens the tools available to young people and families to make more informed educational and career choices.
A reference point for career guidance in Ticino
Throughout the year, the City of Crafts offers free consultations, informational meetings, workshops, training sessions, and events aimed at a variety of audiences, from young people to families, to professionals and individuals interested in career advancement.
The office is located at Viale Stazione 25 in Bellinzona and is accessible without an appointment. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Updated information on services, activities, and the events calendar can be found on the website of the City of Crafts of Italian-speaking Switzerland.
With the introduction of SwissSkills City, Ticino's career guidance program is enhanced with an innovative tool that combines technology, information, and professional support, promoting a broader and more concrete understanding of the opportunities the professional world offers to new generations.
