Working together for nature – the Emmi Apprentice Camp 2025
Emmi is committed to training young people, because our apprentices shape our future. Emilia Bertoldo, in the second year of her apprenticeship as a commercial specialist, was able to document this year's Apprentice Camp. She kept a diary and now has the opportunity to report on her experience. What is the Apprentice Camp anyway? What activities took place? Read this story, where she tells us more about this exciting week.
Every year, the Apprenticeship Department Emmi Switzerland organises a camp for first-year apprentices. Participants will head to the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch in the canton of Lucerne. The Biosphere team works towards conserving the environment and nature, as well as attending to tourism and sustainability in the region. At this year's Apprentice Camp there were 42 apprentices and four supervisors. During these five days, everyone got to know each other better and worked as a team, which strengthened team spirit. Together, the participants made an active contribution to nature – because only with a healthy environment and an intact landscape can we continue to rely on the hig-quality raw material that forms the basis of our Emmi products: milk. 💙
How it all began...
The week at camp started in Marbach and the first stop in the village was the mountain cheese dairy, which is part of the Emmi Group. The group was given a tour, and afterwards all participants got to visit the farm owned by Nicole and Beat Koch.
The projects that the apprentices worked on during the week were carried out on two different farms on the mountain. Andy Wyss runs a suckler cow farm with Scottish Highland cattle. Beat Fink has a dairy farm a little way off. The 46 participants were divided into two groups each working day. The aim was to give the farmers a helping hand wherever needed.
Monday: Between nervousness and curiosity
Monday morning was full of mixed emotions. I didn't know yet what to expect from the coming week. I was a little nervous about meeting the other apprentices and didn't quite know what the experience would be like. I knew most of the others only by sight, as we don't have much to do with each other. Nevertheless, I was excited and happy at the prospect of getting to know everyone around me better.
Fortunately, the tension subsided quickly and I soon felt comfortable. What I loved most about the day was the visit to the Koch family farm. I found the atmosphere very pleasant, and it was exciting to hear how farm life works. Nicole and Beat told us many key figures, such as roughly how many litres of milk they produce and sell per year, which were very interesting to hear. We were also able to taste raw milk fresh from the farm, which was also a special experience.
Tuesday: Thistles, mist and perseverance
It started early. the obligatory breakfast started bright and early at 7 am. Our good mood took a little longer to arrive, as the day's weather looked wet and cold. It was also very foggy and you couldn't see very far. Our job was to get rid of thistles. Thistles are plants with thorny and prickly leaves and stems. Despite the weather and the prickles, which ended up everywhere, by the end of Tuesday we felt justified in being proud of our work. We mastered the work together, and it's a great feeling to see what we've achieved.
Wednesday: Broad-leaved docks, jumpers and good conversations
The day started better than on Tuesday. It was still early, but the weather was much better. A jumper was still needed, but our rain clothes could stay in the holiday home. I was able to work in a smaller group, and we all got along brilliantly. Today's task was to remove broad-leaved docks. These plants are very stubborn and spread very easily. The cows don't eat docks, so they must be taken out. While we were working, we could chat and laugh together. I really appreciate that, as it makes the work much easier and more enjoyable.
Thursday: Work by the lake and cosy companionship
The last day of work arrived. We were visited by other vocational trainers who helped us with our work. We showed them how to do it, and they helped energetically. Together we concentrated on two small lakes. All around there were many shrubs and trees, which we cut away to build "dens". There are intended for the insects and little wild animals, such as weasels, that live in the area. Additional to that we took some small trees out by their roots and planted them at the shore of the lakes so they can offer some shade. After we'd had a chance to rest from the day, we all had a barbecue together. Behind the holiday home there was a barbecue area that we were allowed to use. Everyone helped by putting out tables and chairs. After dinner, we ended the evening hapilly with games, ice cream and quality time.
Friday: With aching muscles and memories to take home
The only thing left to do on Friday was to clean the holiday home and drive home. I was actually a little sad. It was a wonderful weeks, even though it was exhausting. I got to meet and talk to great new people. After this entertaining and exciting week, we all make it home – with sore muscles, but safe and sound.
My conclusion
I think this camp is a great thing. We get to know each other, and we learn what it's like to work on a farm; some have never even seen a cow up close. The week was incredibly instructive, and I think it's excellent what the camp management manages to organise every year.
Among the 42 apprentices there were:
- Federally certified plant operator
- Federally certified automation engineer
- Federally certified IT specialist
- Federally certified interactive media designer
- Federally certified commercial specialist
- Federally certified biological laboratory assistant
- Federally certified logistician
- Federally certified mediamatics technician
- Federally certified dairy technologist
- Federally certified maintenance polytechnician
- Federally certified road transport specialist
Our apprenticeship positions for the year 2026 are now online: Free apprentice positions 2026
Our author Emilia
My name is Emilia Bertoldoand I started my three-year apprenticeship as a federally certified commercial specialist at Emmi in August 2024.
As of March 2025 until January 2026, I have the great pleasure of working in Corporate Communications. During this time, I am there to observe many different projects, including documenting the Apprentice Camp. This has been a great opportunity to plan and implement a product independently. If I had any questions, my trainer and my team were always supportive.
Now the time has come for me to share my account of the Apprentice Camp. I am incredibly proud of the results and look forward to presenting the activities we did and my thoughts on this exciting week.
