Meletronics apprentices switch to Coop subsidiary
Published: Tuesday, Apr 16th 2024, 16:40
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The closure of Migros Melectronics stores has consequences for apprentices at the electronics store: they have to change their training company. The Coop subsidiary Interdiscount has now come to the rescue. It is taking on apprentices from Melectronics.
As of mid-April, eight commitments had already been made to former Melectronics apprentices who are now continuing their apprenticeship at Interdiscount, Interdiscount announced on Tuesday. Further apprenticeships could also be offered. This is currently being examined "with the relevant authorities and Migros", according to the statement.
The aim is to give "as many Melectronics apprentices as possible" the opportunity to continue their training in Interdiscount stores, Human Resources Manager Christian Rohr is quoted as saying in the press release. The Coop subsidiary describes itself as the "largest training company in the consumer electronics sector" in Switzerland. According to its own information, it is currently training 302 apprentices in five professions. More than 70 percent of the newly trained apprentices are also employed after completing their apprenticeship.
Closure decided the previous year
Migros announced in February that it intends to sell several subsidiaries, including the sports retailer SportX, the travel agency subsidiary Hotelplan and the cosmetics manufacturer Mibelle, in addition to the specialist retailer Melectronics. This could also lead to the loss of up to 1500 jobs. However, Migros management has stated that it intends to make as few redundancies as possible and to transfer some employees internally.
However, the apprentices now affected began their apprenticeship in one of the stores whose closure had already been decided in June 2023 and therefore before the decision to sell, explained a Migros spokeswoman on request. "These locations are therefore not part of the negotiations regarding the Melectronics sale," she said.
However, the Migros Group has no other electronics subsidiary where the apprentices and daughters of apprentices could continue their vocational training in their traditional sector. Digitec Galaxus, for example, does not have any brick-and-mortar stores. "It is very important to us to find the best possible solutions for our employees, and we are delighted about the follow-up solution with Interdiscount," said the spokesperson.
"Well on the way" with sales plans
However, the fate of the remaining 175 apprentices, who are learning the profession of retail specialist or retail assistant in the Melectronics stores that are still in operation, will probably not be decided until the decision to sell is made in the summer. The spokeswoman added that "efforts are being made to find a solution within or outside the Migros Group for as many employees as possible".
Should the training of further young people come under threat, Coop is once again ready. "We are in contact with Migros and could well imagine looking into taking on more apprentices for other Coop companies," said a spokesperson.
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