As 2012 Swiss champion, Simon Johner from Kerzers (FR), a construction machinery mechanic who holds a Federal VET diploma,is winner of this year’s Debrunner Acifer Trophy. The trophy consists of car keys for a Mini One. Swiss Federal Council member Johann Schneider-Ammann paid tribute to the top young Swiss professionals on Vocational Training Day in Martigny, handing over the gold prize winners’ certificates signed by the Federal Council.
“Simon Johner demonstrates a high level of both professional and social skills and is therefore a deserving winner,” noted the industry association SMU in its decision. The construction machinery mechanic is also bilingual and therefore an ideal ambassador for Swiss vocational training. Currently, the winner of the Debrunner Acifer Trophy is taking a three-and-a-half-year advanced training course as a professional-college-trained technician in mechanical engineering.
Patrik Forster, director and member of the Group Executive Board, Debrunner Acifer AG, St. Gallen, congratulated the proud winner and presented him with the keys to the Mini, which the Swiss Champion will be able to drive for one year. The goal of the Debrunner Acifer Trophy is to reward and promote top achievement by young professionals.
Debrunner Acifer trains some 150 apprentices in various trades and supports the commitment of the professional associations to training the up-and-coming generation by sponsoring various professional Swiss championships and as main sponsor of SwissSkills (www.swiss-skills.ch). Part of this engagement is the Debrunner Acifer Trophy. Caption: Patrik Forster (Debrunner Acifer) and Nicole Zenhäusern, managing director of Debrunner Acifer Valais, are delighted for Debrunner Acifer Trophy winner Simon Johner.