Ivoclar is the first company worldwide to receive the international "Great Start!" label from the research and consulting institute "Great Place To Work® Switzerland." This is the first time the institute has recognized a corporation that has had its vocational training certified across multiple countries.

The dental company attaches particular importance to promoting young talent. That is why the training locations in Schaan, Naturns (IT), Ellwangen (DE), and Somerset (USA) work closely together, develop common standards, and strengthen the exchange of best practices. This allows trainees worldwide to benefit from clear structures, modern training concepts, and targeted support. This commitment is proving effective—and has once again been recognized: Ivoclar has received the "Great Start" certification for the fifth time at the regional level—and this year for the first time at the international level.

Promoting young talent with vision
The Group is expanding its vocational training across two continents – in a practical, structured manner and with a clear goal: to offer young people worldwide prospects while actively counteracting the shortage of skilled workers. It does this with a total of nine different apprenticeships worldwide.

New horizons: Vocational training now also available in the USA
Starting in the summer of 2025, Ivoclar will also be training apprentices at its Somerset (USA) location for the first time. While vocational training in this form is well established in Europe, it is not very common in many parts of the USA. In collaboration with a community college and with the support of the Department of Labor and the US Embassy in Bern, the company has developed a program that combines American structures with its own training philosophy. This makes Ivoclar the first and so far only company from Liechtenstein to offer training in the USA under this vocational training program.

Appreciation and promotion
"We are proud that our assessment scores are once again well above the benchmark – and that we are now also playing a pioneering role globally with our vocational training," says Aleksandar Toth, Head of Vocational Training at Ivoclar. "We have a culture in which young people are valued, allowed to take on responsibility, and given targeted support – regardless of their location."

That special something in Liechtenstein
The award confirms that Ivoclar offers both its trainees and the region far more than the standard. In addition to professional basic training, the company invests specifically in personal development, health awareness, team building, and the training and further education of vocational trainers. As a result, 22 apprentices from Schaan have been able to enter their names in the "Golden Book" at Vaduz Castle with an excellent grade point average at the end of their apprenticeship over the past six years. Teachers from the region also benefit from the company's expertise, especially in the field of chemistry. They receive free continuing education courses so that they can pass on their knowledge in the classroom.

Appreciation as a guarantee of success
According to the survey results among apprentices, it is particularly striking that they feel appreciated and part of the global team. They work on responsible projects and are allowed to actively contribute. "As a result, many of the apprentices stay with the company in the long term and later take on responsible positions within the group. Currently, 15 percent of the Schaan workforce are former apprentices. One of them now even holds a management position," says Aleksandar Toth. To further build on this success, the dental company will offer two additional professions starting in the summer of 2026, bringing the total to nine. One training position each for multimedia electronics technicians and electronics technicians – with the aim of continuously developing vocational training at the headquarters.

Contact
For more information about Ivoclar's vocational training, visit ivoclar.com/vocationaltraining.