At the General Assembly 2025 in Bern, based on our discussions with the FOCA, we informed you that a revision of the VFAL was to take place in the third quarter of 2025 – with significantly higher training contributions for mechanic education.

In the meantime, the FOCA has unilaterally decided to make further changes to the regulation as part of the planned revision, in addition to adjusting the contributions. We have not yet been informed of the specific content of these additional changes. Furthermore, we have been informed that a revised regulation will not come into force until January 2027 at the earliest due to the ordinary legislative process.

We find this development disappointing, as it delays urgently needed actions to strengthen training programmes in the short term and reduce the shortage of skilled workers.
In our view, the current progress in this matter shows that the authority has so far failed to take sufficient account of the concerns and needs of our industry. We also criticise the inadequate communication on the part of the FOCA.

We would like to note that we cannot accept this approach in its current form. Together with Swissmem and Aerosuisse, we are currently examining possible further actions to ensure a timely and targeted implementation of the VFAL revision.


In order to best represent the concerns, problems and expectations of our members in the future dialogue with the FOCA, we are planning an industry workshop in January/February 2026. As a member of SAMA, we cordially invite you to participate.

The aim is to create a "round table" with a limited number of member companies, preferably from all areas of the manufacturing and maintenance sector. We already have two interested parties and ask you to contact us if you would like to participate.

To do so, please contact directly the Managing Director of SAMA via link below.

Registration deadline: 17 November 2025

Depending on the region of the participating or interested members, we will define the location and date of the workshop as best as possible and provide further information.