You started your apprenticeship at Otto Hofstetter AG on 1 August, 2024. What motivated you to choose an apprenticeship as a polymechanic?
The profession of polymechanics appealed to me because of my keen interest in technical devices and the joy I get from making things. While looking for an apprenticeship, I also applied for joinery and carpentry. Ultimately, I was won over by the Otto Hofstetter AG's training workshop, with four apprentices taken on per year. This set-up allows us to form a really good team and gives us a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas. The company isn't far from where my family lives. My mother had learned about the company from a steel supplier and, gave me the tip.
How do you manage being a competitive athlete during your apprenticeship?
There isn't actually a formal programme for athletes here, as Otto Hofstetter AG isn't an official training company recognised by Swiss Olympic, the national Olympic committee. In my application, I simply asked whether a sports apprenticeship would be possible. Together with my parents, we discussed how training and absences could be planned. The resulting supplementary contract regulates exactly how to combine sports and work. Every Sunday, my weekly schedule with the training times goes to Stephan Brändli, my instructor at the company.
How is your training as a polymechanic structured?
I spend three days a week at the company and two days at vocational school. One perk is that we can complete the inter-company course work in-house. The instructors, Stephan Brändli and Marcel Thum, have the relevant additional training, so there's no need to travel to St. Gallen. This is a huge advantage for me, as it allows me to plan and conduct the inter-company courses together with my trainers during my free time. In the course, we learn things like how to manufacture stepped shafts. The rest of the working hours are also very practice-oriented.
What special provisions do you have in your apprenticeship contract?
The supplementary contract allows me to work one day a week to pursue my athletic goals. I am excused from work for additional training and competitions. Of the five weeks of vacation in the first year of my apprenticeship, two weeks are reserved for sports. Unlike other apprentices, there is no performance-related wage tied to school grades. If necessary, my apprenticeship could be extended by another year.
Nick Zingg
Since August 2024, he has been participating as an apprenticeship polymechanic at Otto Hofstetter AG, with the status of a competitive sports apprentice. Member of the regional squad of the Eastern Swiss Ski Association. Two-time Eastern Swiss slalom champion and top-10 finisher in the national Combi race.
In which areas of polymechanics are you already working?
The first year of the apprenticeship focuses on simpler machines. The programme includes turning and drilling, both manual and with automatic feeds. Milling will follow later. Despite the company's state-of-the-art technology, we begin with the basics of craftsmanship – these provide a better understanding of the work when we move to computer-controlled machines.
What do you particularly enjoy about precision work?
The challenge of precise work and the small tolerances give me a good feeling and confidence when everything is just right. Accuracy must be exact in my work, otherwise a part cannot be used. This precision is also important to me in my personal life, especially when packing for skiing. I have to make sure everything is properly prepared. I take particular care of my skis.
What role does digitalisation play in your training?
In the workshop at Otto Hofstetter AG, digitalisation will come later for me, but at vocational school, almost everything is digital. There, we write with a stylus on the PC screen. We only use a paper notebook for mathematics, while subjects like materials and manufacturing technology are taught exclusively on computers. Programming is planned for the third year of my apprenticeship.
What has been your most interesting project in the workshop so far?
I particularly liked making an adhesive roll holder in the basic course. In this project, we were able to apply all the techniques we had learned so far. Finally, the part was layered to achieve a beautiful surface. This kind of practical work makes the training really interesting.
How do you balance the physical demands of work and sport?
At first, standing for long periods in the workshop was quite tiring, but it didn't affect my training. After intensive training, I sometimes feel a bit tired. Stephan Brändli once noticed this and asked me about it. But with enough sleep—about eight hours a night—it's manageable. At some training sessions, a classmate from high school who plays football accompanies me. We support each other, which is helpful both in sports and at school.
How do your colleagues react to your special apprenticeship?
There have never been any problems or jealousy. Of course, there is some teasing and little jokes, which I enjoy. The acceptance within the apprentice team is very good. At the beginning of my apprenticeship, Mr. Thum and Mr. Brändli told my new colleagues that I was doing a special apprenticeship and that I would be away a lot due to skiing.
To complete such an apprenticeship, you need a certification from Swiss Olympic. What athletic requirements did you have to meet?
Membership in a regional team is a prerequisite. In the Eastern Swiss Ski Association, the overall assessment is made up of one-third each of skiing results, fitness/athleticism, and a ski technique test. In the latter, experts evaluate various tricks, jumps, and ski runs.
How did your career in ski racing begin?
I first stood on skis at the age of two or three and joined the youth organization (JO) at the SSC Toggenburg ski club as early as possible. Success came relatively quickly. At the age of 10, I also began mountain biking training with RV Wetzikon. I practiced both sports concurrently for two or three years before shifting my focus to skiing. Winter being my favorite season and the special feeling at the start—standing alone at the top of the slope—was the deciding factor.
Which skiing discipline do you enjoy most?
Slalom is my favorite discipline, although speed skiing is also appealing. Most people my age haven't yet specialised. At a young age, technical training is a top priority in all disciplines, but the older you get, the more you specialise in individual disciplines. In our five-person team, only the oldest skiers have already decided on their chosen discipline.
Who inspires you in sports?
Several athletes serve as my role models. In skiing, I admire Loïc Meillard for his outstanding technique. In cycling, Tadej Pogačar impresses with his incredible performance – when he can still attack on the last climb after 200 kilometers. In cross-country skiing, I admire Johannes Høsflot Klæbo for his dominance in sprints and his tactical skills.
What do you consider your greatest successes so far?
I've won the overall ranking in the OSSV Alpine Cup three times. Last season brought a top-10 finish in the national Combi Race. Last year I became Eastern Swiss Champion, and the year before that I won the Eastern Swiss Slalom Champion twice. I've also qualified for the finals of the GP Migros, the largest youth ski race in Switzerland, five times.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Monday and Tuesday are dedicated to school, with Monday being particularly long, with classes until 4:30. On Tuesdays, I'm exempt from school sports and instead do a two-hour strength training session outdoors or in the weight room. Wednesday is all about work, followed by training with a friend in the evening. On Thursdays, after work, I go to a nearby town for strength training, and on Fridays, I go back to work. I use the weekends mainly for strength and athletic training in the summer, and for ski training and competitions in the winter. In the summer, we went to the Stelvio Glacier four times for four days each, and twice to the Stubai Glacier, where the training conditions were excellent. In the fall, we trained primarily in Saas-Fee, Zermatt, and on the Schilthorn, where we particularly practiced pole skiing and jumps. There's also a speed course there, which was initially challenging with the new, longer skis.
What similarities do you see between your sport and your job?
Discipline, perseverance, and concentration are crucial in both areas. Reflecting on mistakes sport and work have in common – understanding why something went wrong and how to avoid it in the future is important in both worlds.
How do your coaches support you in your sport and training?
My ski coach, who is also a sports trainer, can identify weaknesses in skiing that are related to physical fitness. At work, Stephan Brändli and Marcel Thum provide similarly positive support. All three motivate with valuable advice and recognition when you're committed and do a good job.
How do you recover from the demands of sports and work?
I enjoy watching skiing, cross-country skiing, and cycling events on TV. In the summer, I head to a nearby lake for swimming and relaxation. I also spend a lot of time at home on weekends, with my family, my cousins and other relatives.
What advice would you give to other young athletes who are considering a technical apprenticeship?
Advance planning is crucial – at least one week in advance, you should know which dates are booked up. Those around you, especially your instructors, must be informed of absences in a timely manner. It's also important to make a good impression through commitment so that everyone understands that you're fully committed despite frequent absences. Based on my experience so far, I can definitely recommend an apprenticeship as an athlete.
Thank you for the conversation and good luck on your professional and athletic endeavors, Nick.
