About the AWAY exchange programme
AWAY is an international mobility programme coordinated by SAVOIRSOCIAL, the Swiss umbrella organisation for vocational education and training in the social sector.
The programme enables newly qualified Swiss social care workers (ASE / FaBe) to gain professional experience abroad through a work placement in another European country. Participants are young professionals at the beginning of their careers who are motivated to learn, share experiences and discover new professional environments.
Placements typically last between 2 and 6 months and take place in social institutions working in areas such as:
- Childcare (babies, children and young people)
- Disability care
- Elderly care
Participants join the host institution as part of the team and actively contribute to daily activities while gaining insight into professional practices from other cultures. We require a level of B2 unless otherwise agreed between the involved partners.
Since the launch of the programme in 2022, placements have been organised in Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Denmark.
About the profession: Social Care Worker (ASE / FaBe)
Participants in the AWAY programme are fully qualified professionals, not students.
Social care workers in Switzerland complete a three-year vocational education and training programme leading to the Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET). This qualification corresponds to Level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and prepares graduates for immediate professional practice.
Training follows the Swiss dual education model, combining:
- practical training in a social institution (3-4 days / week)
- classroom instruction at a vocational school (1-2 days / week)
- additional training in specialised branch courses (20 days in total).
Apprentices are able to:
- support individuals in daily living activities
- plan and organise educational or social activities
- encourage participation in social and cultural life
- collaborate within interdisciplinary teams
- communicate with families and professionals
- adapt their work to the individual needs of the people they support.
The Diploma Supplement provides additional information about the profession.
Interested in becoming a partner organisation?
We are always looking to expand our network of partner institutions across Europe.
Social institutions play a key role in the AWAY programme by offering young Swiss social care professionals the opportunity to gain international experience and discover new professional environments.
Hosting a participant can also be an enriching experience for the host team. It creates opportunities for professional exchange, intercultural learning and the sharing of different approaches to social care.
We collaborate with social institutions and placement agencies across Europe.
If your organisation would be interested in hosting a Swiss social care worker or exploring possibilities for cooperation, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
Please feel free to contact our programme manager Charlotte Reinhard.
Contact: away@savoirsocial.ch | +41 62 205 60 11
Hosting a social care worker: what to expect
Host institutions can expect participants who:
- have completed a full professional training
- already have practical experience in social institutions
- are motivated to learn about new practices
- are able to actively contribute to the daily work of the team.
Before the mobility begins, participants define personal learning objectives for their stay. These objectives guide their learning during the placement. In many cases, participants also develop a small project within the host institution, in collaboration with the team and with the agreement of the institution.
To ensure a meaningful and supportive learning environment, each participant has a designated mentor or reference person within the host institution. This person provides guidance, supports the participant in their daily work and facilitates their integration into the team.
Throughout the mobility, SAVOIRSOCIAL remains in regular contact with the participant and is available if any questions or challenges arise.
Participants receive a mobility grant from SAVOIRSOCIAL, meaning that host institutions are not required to provide a salary. However, any form of support is greatly appreciated. This may include, for example, meals or snacks during working hours, reimbursement of public transport costs, accommodation support or other contributions to daily living expenses.