For referring institutions
BNF supports jobseekers with tertiary education in finding their (new) orientation, defining their professional focus, and developing networking strategies.
BNF has an extensive network of project placements throughout Switzerland: in public institutions, nonprofit organisations, and private companies. We provide jobseekers with opportunities to enter the regular labour market by participating in temporary BNF project work.
BNF projects
A suitable BNF project placement can be selected in alignment with the participant’s personal job application strategy. A BNF project is a temporary placement lasting a maximum of six months in a public institution, a nonprofit organisation, or a private company, aimed at improving the participant’s prospects in the labour market.
BNF has a range of projects throughout Switzerland at its disposal – in public institutions, nonprofit organisations (PvB/BNF project participation), or in private companies (Berufspraktikum/BNF work placement).
Courses and coaching
Participants may attend BNF’s further training and coaching offers during a BNF project, in some cantons as soon as the participants begin searching for a suitable project (during BNFstart).
General conditions
As a rule, participants continue to receive benefits from their unemployment funds for the duration of a BNF project, as well as reimbursements for travelling expenses and midday meals.
One fifth of the time spent in a BNF project is reserved for jobseeking.
In consultation with the project supervisor participants will draft an Agreement on Objectives, a brief Intermediary Report, and a Final Report. The referring institution will receive copies. An attendance register will be sent to them every month.
A BNF project can be terminated at any time, should the participant find regular employment. Towards the end of the BNF project, the partner organisation will issue a letter of reference for the participant.
Costs
BNF is a national qualification programme and is financed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Because of this, services for participants referred to BNF by regional employment offices (RAV/ORP) usually incur no costs for the cantons.
Other institutions (such as the DCC programme of Bern University, social services, or disability insurance offices) will be billed according to the funding commitment agreed in advance. For queries on financial matters please contact the relevant BNF branch.