Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Careers Forum is the largest career fair in Western Switzerland, taking place at Forum Fribourg from 23 to 28 February 2027. This event connects students, parents, and educators with professionals across various sectors, offering workshops and interactive experiences to explore career paths.
With over 200 professions represented, attendees will gain valuable insights and networking opportunities to support their career decisions. Careers Forum takes place in Granges-Paccot, Switzerland.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: START! Careers Forum runs from 23 to 28 February 2027 at Forum Fribourg, Switzerland.
- 2Scale and Focus: This major career fair features over 200 professions and attracts more than 27,000 visitors.
- 3Organiser: The event is organised by Start Career Forum, with more details available at start-fr.ch.
- 4Buyer Authority: Targeted at students, parents, and educators seeking career guidance and opportunities.
- 5Entry: Free admission for all attendees, providing access to workshops and networking opportunities.
Why visit
Attendees will benefit from direct interactions with industry professionals, access to workshops that enhance job-seeking skills, and the opportunity to explore over 200 different career paths. This major career fair features over 200 professions and attracts more than 27,000 visitors. Free admission for all attendees, providing access to workshops.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors at the START! Careers Forum will gain exceptional visibility among over 27,000 visitors, including students, parents, and educators. This is a prime opportunity to showcase your organization and connect with the next generation of professionals. Participating in the forum allows exhibitors to directly engage with potential candidates, promote their career opportunities, and enhance their brand presence in the educational sector.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Secondary school pupils (roughly ages 12-15) from Fribourg canton comparing apprenticeship (CFC/AFP) and pre-apprenticeship routes
Gymnasium students weighing a maturité gymnasiale, vocational baccalaureate (BM) or university of applied sciences pathway
Parents accompanying their children to compare training options, commute distances and cantonal financial aid
Teachers, class doyens and school career counsellors (doyens/doyennes) escorting class groups and gathering documentation
16-20 year olds who already know the trade they want and come to secure an apprenticeship contract for the following August
Young adults finishing a CFC who are looking at a second training, a BM bridge or a HES bachelor
Adults in career change or retraining, including people returning after a break, looking at continuing education and short qualifications
Job seekers referred by the cantonal career guidance service (orientation professionnelle / Berufsberatung)
Bilingual visitors from German-speaking Fribourg districts and neighbouring Vaud/Bern cantons comparing cross-cantonal options
International and newcomer families in the Fribourg region who need an overview of how Swiss dual vocational training works
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Training companies from Fribourg industry offering apprenticeship places in mechanics, electronics, automation, food production and construction trades
Healthcare and social employers such as hospitals, care homes and socio-educational services recruiting for health and care training pathways
Cantonal vocational schools (écoles professionnelles) presenting CFC and AFP curricula, block-course models and vocational baccalaureate classes
Gymnasium and upper-secondary schools explaining the maturité gymnasiale route and admission conditions
University of Fribourg and HES-SO Fribourg institutions (engineering and architecture, health, management, social work) presenting bachelor and master paths
Hospitality, tourism and culinary schools presenting dual and full-time training for hotel, kitchen and service roles
Professional organisations (organisations du monde du travail) that define VET curricula and run inter-company courses
Cantonal career guidance and integration services presenting pre-apprenticeship, coaching and language support programmes
Bridging-year and language-stay providers for young people who are not yet ready to sign an apprenticeship contract
Armed forces, civil service and public administration stands presenting careers and traineeships for school leavers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Apprenticeship positions (Lehre / apprentissage) with regional employers for the August intake
Two-year federal VET certificate (AFP) and three-to-four-year federal VET diploma (CFC) programmes
Vocational baccalaureate (maturité professionnelle / Berufsmaturität) and BM bridge-year options
Maturité gymnasiale and upper-secondary school programmes with admission requirements
University of Fribourg bachelor and master degrees
HES-SO Fribourg bachelor programmes in engineering and architecture, health, business and social work
Healthcare and care-assistant training, including hospital-based practical placements
Hospitality, culinary and tourism training routes
Pre-apprenticeship, integration and language-support programmes for young people and newcomers
Career orientation tools, aptitude assessment, coaching and CV/interview workshops
Continuing education, evening courses and adult retraining vouchers or cantonal funding schemes
Gap-year, language-stay and internship-abroad options before or after vocational training
Location & Facilities
Venue
Halls & areas
1Salles 3 A B C D
Forum Fribourg
Route du Lac 12, 1763 Granges-Paccot
Facilities
Parking
Forum Fribourg in Granges-Paccot typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Forum Fribourg in Granges-Paccot typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Forum Fribourg for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
23 – 28 February 2027:8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
26 February 2027:8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
27 February 2027:9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
28 February 2027:9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Who runs the show
Organisers
Start Career Forum
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Granges-Paccot, Switzerland
Why it matters
On 2027-02-23 to 2027-02-27, START!
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · CHF
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
ibis Fribourg
budget
Granges-Paccot / Forum FribourgUSD 95–122 / night
Mercure Fribourg Centre Remparts
midscale
Fribourg town centreUSD 150–190 / night
Holiday Inn Bern - Westside by IHG
midscale
Bern WestsideUSD 150–190 / night
Seepark Business Hotel Murten
midscale
Murten (Murat)USD 150–190 / night
Hotel Murtenhof & Krone
midscale
Murten (Murat)USD 150–190 / night
Hotel de l'Escale
budget
Fribourg regionUSD 95–122 / night
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Train
Estimated costFrom CHF 2 single (Rome2rio published fare)
Best forFribourg to Granges-Paccot, Forum-Fribourg
Bus
Estimated costFrom CHF 2 single (Rome2rio published fare)
Best forFribourg to Granges-Paccot, Forum-Fribourg
Walk / local drive
Estimated costCHF 45–90 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forGranges-Paccot centre to Forum Fribourg
Parking
Estimated costConfirm current tariff with operator (Approx. not published in capture)
Best forParking du Forum Fribourg
taxi
Estimated costApprox. CHF taxi/rideshare from GVA to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forGeneva Airport (GVA) to Forum Fribourg
taxi
Estimated costApprox. CHF taxi/rideshare from BSL to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forEuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) to Forum Fribourg
taxi
Estimated costApprox. CHF taxi/rideshare from ZRH to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forZurich Airport (ZRH) to Forum Fribourg
taxi
Estimated costApprox. CHF taxi/rideshare from BRN to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forBern Airport (BRN) to Forum Fribourg
Weather
Late February in the Fribourg region is late winter: expect cold days, frosty nights and a realistic chance of rain or wet snow. Pack layers, a waterproof outer shell and sturdy shoes for the walk between hotels and Forum Fribourg. Check the forecast close to departure - the region can swing between mild foehn days and sub-zero mornings in the same week.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Switzerland.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Two languages in one canton
Fribourg is officially bilingual. French dominates in the city and in Granges-Paccot, while German is common in the northern districts. Greet people with 'Bonjour' or 'Guten Tag' and let the other person choose the language; printed material at a careers fair is often available in both.
Punctuality and school-group flow
Swiss school schedules and fair slots run to the minute. Class groups are expected at their allocated time, and exhibitors plan staffing around those slots. If you are late as a group, phone the organiser rather than simply arriving.
Greetings and forms of address
A handshake and a clear introduction are standard at professional stands. Use 'Madame'/'Monsieur' or 'Frau'/'Herr' with a surname until invited otherwise; first names are common only among young people of the same age.
Money and payments
Prices are in Swiss francs (CHF). Cards are widely accepted on site, but small stands, lockers and some food kiosks may prefer cash. Euro is generally not accepted at face value in Fribourg, so change money or withdraw CHF.
Tipping and service
Service is already included by law in Swiss restaurant and bar prices. Rounding up to the next franc or leaving about five percent for good service is normal and always optional.
Sunday and evening rhythm
Shops in Fribourg close on Sundays and most close early on Saturday evening. If your trip spans the weekend, buy essentials for the fair days in advance and check restaurant hours in Granges-Paccot, which is quieter in the evening than the Fribourg old town.
Late February weather
Expect cold days, frosty mornings and a realistic chance of rain or wet snow in the Fribourg region. Dress in layers with a waterproof outer shell and shoes suitable for wet pavements between the Forum-Fribourg stop and the halls.
Public transport etiquette
Validate or buy your TPF ticket before boarding and keep it until you exit. Keep noise low in quiet zones, give up priority seats, and stand on the right on escalators in Swiss stations.
Documents that carry weight
In the Swiss training market, a short written CV, school reports and language certificates are the standard items a recruiter will ask for. Having them ready in French and German signals seriousness, even at a first conversation.
Photography and minors
Many visitors at this fair are under 18. Ask before photographing stands with pupils in the frame, and check with the organiser before publishing images of identifiable young people on social media.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Google Flights for the 23-27 February 2027 window priced New York JFK to the Granges-Paccot area from CHF 534 return in economy with one stop; all samples connected via a European hub to a Swiss arrival point, so plan a rail transfer to Fribourg. Book early for late-February travel and check baggage fees separately.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Granges-Paccot; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Forum Fribourg: Granges-Paccot / Forum Fribourg: ibis Fribourg; Fribourg town centre: Mercure Fribourg Centre Remparts; Bern Westside: Holiday Inn Bern - Westside by IHG.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Granges-Paccot; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: TPF (Transports publics fribourgeois) operates the Fribourg-Granges-Paccot bus and rail network, with a dedicated Forum-Fribourg stop next to the venue. Single fares from Fribourg are listed from about CHF 2; use the TPF online timetable for live departures.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Forum Fribourg; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February 2027
Temperature: Typically cold late-winter conditions in Granges-Paccot during 23-27 February; expect single-digit daytime highs and near or below freezing nights. Confirm the live forecast before travel.
Seasonality: Late February is a wet, unsettled period in the Fribourg region, with rain or wet snow possible and occasional clear, cold spells.
Packing: Bring a waterproof coat, warm mid-layers, gloves and comfortable walking shoes; Swiss venues and hotels are well heated, so light indoor clothing plus a heavy outer layer works best.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at START! Careers Forum usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
14 days before: check start-fr.ch for the 2027 opening days, public hours and whether class groups must be registered in advance
T-2
13 days before: confirm with your school or doyen which day and time slot your class attends, and whether transport is organised centrally
T-3
12 days before: shortlist six to ten stands in the field you are targeting (for example mechanics, health, commerce, hospitality or a gymnasium route)
T-4
11 days before: write a one-page CV in French and German if you plan to ask about apprenticeships starting in August
T-5
10 days before: gather copies of your last two school reports, any language certificates and a passport-style photo if the organiser asks for one
T-6
9 days before: plan the journey with TPF to the Forum-Fribourg stop, note the fare (from about CHF 2 from Fribourg) and check the SBB connection if you come from another canton
T-7
7 days before: check the late-February forecast and pack warm layers, a waterproof outer layer and comfortable shoes for the walk from the stop to the halls
T-8
5 days before: prepare five specific questions per stand, for example training duration, school days per week, inter-company courses and selection steps
T-9
4 days before: practice a 60-second introduction in French or German covering your school level, the trade or field you want and why
T-10
3 days before: save the hall layout on your phone once the organiser publishes it, and note the counselling service stand as a fallback
T-11
2 days before: if you are a parent, agree with your child which stands you will visit together and which they will do alone
T-12
1 day before: charge your phone, pack a notebook, a water bottle and a folder for brochures, and print any confirmation you received
T-13
On the day: arrive at opening time, do the counselling or orientation stand first, then work through your shortlist before the halls get crowded
T-14
Within 48 hours after: send a short thank-you message or application follow-up to every company where you spoke to a recruiter
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Forum Fribourg
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2START! Careers Forum registration concourse
Forum Fribourg
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Forum Fribourg
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nightsCHF 190.00
- Per diem × 2CHF 150.00
Estimated totalCHF 340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether START! Careers Forum fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For START! Careers Forum, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Vocational training programs and Career counseling services solutions and benchmarking suppliers at START! Careers Forum in Granges-Paccot.
Min. budget
$474.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Vocational training programs and Career counseling services products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,133.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Granges-Paccot show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where does the Fribourg careers and education fair take place?
The edition runs from 23 to 27 February 2027 at Forum Fribourg in Granges-Paccot, the exhibition and events park on the western edge of the city of Fribourg. Confirm the daily opening hours on start-fr.ch before you travel, as school-class slots and public opening times differ.
Who is the fair aimed at?
It is built around the Swiss dual training system, so the core audience is pupils choosing an apprenticeship or upper-secondary route, their parents, and teachers who bring class groups. It is also open to young adults finishing a CFC, adults considering retraining and newcomers who need a first overview of vocational training in Switzerland.
Do school classes need to register in advance?
Class visits to Swiss career fairs are normally scheduled with the organiser so that each group has a guided slot and exhibitors can plan staffing. Check start-fr.ch for the registration form and deadlines and coordinate with your school's doyen before booking transport.
Are individual visitors and parents allowed to attend?
Yes. Class visits are only one part of the programme; families and unaccompanied visitors usually attend as well. Confirm current entry conditions and any badge or wristband process on start-fr.ch.
Which languages are used at the stands?
Fribourg is a bilingual canton, so expect French and German. Most institutional and cantonal stands will have both, some company stands operate in the language of the region they recruit from, and brand or international programmes may present in English.
How do I reach Forum Fribourg by public transport?
Transports publics fribourgeois (TPF) serve the venue with a dedicated Forum-Fribourg stop. Regional trains and buses from Fribourg station take only a few minutes, with single fares listed from about CHF 2; check the TPF timetable for the day you travel.
Is there parking at Forum Fribourg?
Yes, the venue operates an on-site car park listed in Swiss parking directories. Rates are set by the operator and are not fixed in advance for visitors, so check the current tariff at the barrier or on the venue page.
Which airport should I fly into?
Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH), EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) and regional Bern (BRN) all connect to Fribourg by train. Geneva and Zurich have the widest long-haul choice, while Bern is the closest airport if you are arriving from within Europe.
What should a pupil bring on the day?
Bring a one-page CV in French or German, the last two school reports, any language certificates, a notebook and a list of the six to ten stands you want to visit. If you are hoping to sign a contract for the August intake, ask your parents which documents they can send by e-mail after the visit.
Are apprenticeships offered on the spot, or is it only information?
Both. Cantonal schools and counselling services provide information, while training companies come specifically to present open apprenticeship places and to meet candidates. Some run short practical tests or interviews at the stand, and most now take contact details for follow-up rather than signing contracts at the fair.
What does it cost to visit?
Entry conditions are set by the organiser each year and are published on start-fr.ch. Budget in addition for public transport to Granges-Paccot and for food on site, since school groups typically stay half a day.
I am an adult considering a career change. Is the fair useful for me?
Yes, but plan your route around the adult-relevant stands: continuing education providers, cantonal career guidance, HES programmes with part-time or work-linked study models, and companies that recruit trainees over 25. Weekday sessions and school-morning periods are the busiest, so mid-afternoon is usually calmer.
Glossary
- CFC (Certificat federal de capacite / Eidgenossisches Fahigkeitszeugnis)
- The federal VET diploma awarded after a three- or four-year apprenticeship combining a training company, vocational school and inter-company courses. It is the standard entry qualification for most Swiss skilled trades.
- AFP (Attestation federale de formation professionnelle)
- A two-year federal VET certificate for more practically oriented training profiles. It can often be extended into a CFC with an additional year.
- Apprenticeship (apprentissage / Lehre)
- Switzerland's dual training model: a young person signs a contract with a training company, attends vocational school one or two days a week and follows inter-company courses run by the professional organisation.
- Maturite gymnasiale / Gymnasium
- The upper-secondary academic route offered at Fribourg's gymnasiums, ending with the federal maturity certificate that gives direct access to university.
- Maturite professionnelle / Berufsmaturitat (BM)
- A vocational baccalaureate taken alongside or after an apprenticeship. It opens the door to a university of applied sciences (HES) and, with a pass at the end of the bridge year, to university.
- HES / HES-SO
- The universities of applied sciences network (Haute ecole specialisee, part of HES-SO in French-speaking Switzerland). In Fribourg this includes engineering and architecture, health, management and social work schools.
- HEIA-FR
- The School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg, one of the HES-SO Fribourg institutions presenting bachelor programmes at the fair.
- Orientation professionnelle / Berufsberatung
- The cantonal career guidance service. It offers one-to-one counselling, aptitude assessments and support for young people and adults choosing or changing a career path.
- Doyen / Doyenne
- The teacher or counsellor inside a secondary school who coordinates career orientation for pupils, organises class visits to fairs and reviews application documents.
- Pre-apprenticeship (preapprentissage / Vorlehre)
- A one-year bridging programme combining language support, school refresher classes and a company placement, aimed at young people who need more preparation before signing an apprenticeship contract.
- Organisation du monde du travail (OdA / Berufsverband)
- An employers' or professional body that defines the VET curriculum for a trade, runs inter-company courses and represents the profession at fairs like this one.
- Bilingual canton
- Fribourg is officially French- and German-speaking. Business cards, job adverts and training contracts are often issued in both languages, so faires at Forum Fribourg generally serve visitors in French and German.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- career fair Switzerland 2027
- job training Granges-Paccot
- education fair Fribourg
- START! Careers Forum 2027
- START! Careers Forum Granges-Paccot 2027
- START 2027
- START Granges-Paccot 2027
- Granges-Paccot Switzerland
- Career Fair Granges-Paccot 2027
- Vocational training programs
2 more alternate names hidden
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Sources
2
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
1
Start Career Forum
- event_website
- event_faq
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.