From an apprenticeship to the top job

Who says a lorry driver has to sit behind the wheel for the rest of their life? Salvatore Mineo swapped sitting behind the wheel of a lorry for sitting in the boss's chair a long time ago. He began his career at Migros Vaud over 20 years ago by doing an apprenticeship as a road transport specialist. Today, he heads Migros Logistique Romande SA, which supplies the four Migros cooperatives in French-speaking Switzerland with chilled products. He has around 40 employees reporting to him.

Salvatore Mineo's career is not unique. People who opt for an apprenticeship open up many career opportunities in Switzerland. This also holds true for Migros, which offers around 1500 apprenticeships in 55 professions every year.

"We have a stronger commitment to training apprentices than almost any other company," says David Girod, Head of Human Resources Management at the Migros Group. "Using our own training and continuing education programmes, we offer prospects and promote the personal and professional development of our graduate apprentices." The high number of Migros employees who often go on to enjoy long, remarkable careers show this scheme works well. We asked three high achievers what advice they would give young people when choosing a career.

Salvatore Mineo (42)

apprenticeship as a road transport specialist (from 1998)
now Director of Migros Logistique Romande SA (since 2023)

What advice would you give to a young person who is having second thoughts about starting an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is not a dead end. In fact quite the opposite – it opens up an almost infinite number of pathways into the world of work. Anyone wishing to continue their education will find a permeable education system in Switzerland with wide-ranging opportunities for further education, for example at universities of applied sciences.

But you don't have to complete an apprenticeship as a lorry driver to become a logistics director, right?
No, but it provides an indisputable advantage because I'm really familiar with what the drivers and logistics staff have to do every day. This insight still guides my decision-making.

What inspired you to pursue a career?
I like to challenge myself. And it helps that I am persistent and always stay motivated, even though the training courses were sometimes very time-consuming.

Why have you spent your entire career at Migros?
If you wish to develop your career at Migros, there is a wide range of opportunities available here. You can move up the ranks quickly through internal applications. Financial support is also available for many further training programmes. This was also the case for me with my Swiss Federal Diploma as a transport and logistics dispatcher.

Jeanine Moreno (30)

commercial apprenticeship (from 2010)
now Head of Vocational Training at Migros Basel (since 2023)

Why did you opt for an apprenticeship?
Because you learn in a hands-on way. An apprenticeship at a large company like Migros Basel also provides a wide range of insights. I worked in five departments, from HR to accounting. This allowed me to explore all aspects of the job and find out which area interested me.

What advice would you give to an apprentice who wants to develop their career?
Remain open-minded and curious and take every opportunity to learn new things. Showing commitment and dedication will open lots of doors. You really can carve out a good career at Migros Basel.

But what sacrifices does that require ...
Yes, my training courses also took place in the evenings and on Saturdays, but I organised myself well and never felt I was neglecting my friends or hobbies. Migros supported me with this which I greatly appreciated.

Is making a career plan worthwhile?
When I started my apprenticeship at the age of 15, I didn't have one. My goals changed over the years as I became more familiar with the world of work. You must seize the opportunities that arise. For example, deputising for a colleague while she was on maternity leave opened new doors for me.

Alan Gashi (26)

apprenticeship as a retail specialist (from 2014)
now Junior Product Manager at Migros Ticino (since 2025)

Why did you opt for an apprenticeship at Migros?
After leaving school, I completed various internships, including one at Migros, where I discovered that I loved sales. I also realised very quickly that Migros could offer me not only a job, but also real opportunities for personal and professional development.

Did you have a career plan from the outset?
No, but after a while I realised that it's good to have a goal in mind. This helps me to make purposeful decisions.

What advice would you give to a young person starting out in their career?
You don't need to have big plans at the beginning – that can be overwhelming. It's more about taking everything one step at a time. Every time you reach a new level, your confidence in your own abilities grows. And if something doesn't quite work out, then make a new, more realistic plan. But the main thing is never give up.

Which of the skills that you acquired during your apprenticeship are still useful today?
During my training, I learned how to communicate effectively and respectfully. This skill proved crucial when I was leading a team.