Ivoclar Vivadent is launching its Start Now training program. It is aimed at those seeking a career change and newcomers to the job market looking for a fresh opportunity to start their careers. In this context, Ivoclar will pay the typical industry minimum wage or above, depending on the trainees’ life and professional experience.

The Liechtenstein dental company Ivoclar is launching a new training program by the name of Start Now that will initially focus on a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training in the role of Plant Operator m/f/x. According to a press release, this program is aimed at people aged 25+ who are keen to grasp a new opportunity. The scheme can take the form of initial or further training, training for professional re-orientation or as an opportunity for people who have previously experienced difficulties in establishing a career in the region due to their background, for example because their university degree obtained in their home country is not recognized. With this new program, the company is seeking to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

“For us, age, background or gender isn’t important,” comments Aleksandar Toth, Head of Vocational Training at Ivoclar, in the press release. “We are not looking for someone who makes excuses, but rather people with great personal commitment, a desire to start again from scratch and the will to re-forge their career path.”

It all works as a normal apprenticeship would: applicants will attend vocational school, pass exams, go to lectures and gain experience across a range of departments. But depending on their life and professional experience, their pay packet will be equal to or above the industry minimum wage. “For example, fathers or single mothers who already have responsibilities for a family might also apply for our scheme. We are aware that in such cases a regular apprentice wage would not be sufficient”.

Ivoclar is now set to kick things off by offering training in its first occupation. The plan thereafter is for the program to be gradually expanded.