In a landmark achievement for Liechtenstein business and education, Ivoclar has become the first company in the world to receive the international Great Start! label from the research and consulting institute Great Place To Work Switzerland. This prestigious certification recognizes the dental companys cross-border apprenticeship training program, which spans multiple countries and continents.
A Global First in Apprenticeship Training
The Great Start! certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate exceptional commitment to vocational training and youth development. While Ivoclar has received this recognition five times at the regional level, this marks the first time the institute has certified a corporation for its apprenticeship program on an international scale.
The Ivoclar Group operates training centers in Schaan (Liechtenstein), Naturns (Italy), Ellwangen (Germany), and Somerset (USA). These locations work together to develop shared standards and exchange best practices, ensuring that apprentices worldwide benefit from clear structures, modern training concepts, and targeted support.
The company offers a total of nine different apprenticeship professions across its global operations.
Bringing Apprenticeship Training to the United States
Since summer 2025, Ivoclar has been training apprentices at its Somerset, New Jersey location — a groundbreaking move, as vocational training in this format is not widely established in the United States. In collaboration with a community college, the US Department of Labor, and the US Embassy in Bern, Ivoclar developed a program that combines American structures with the companys own training philosophy.
This makes Ivoclar the first and only company from Liechtenstein to offer such a vocational training program in the United States.
Investing in the Next Generation
We are proud that our evaluation scores are once again significantly above the benchmark and that we now also play a pioneering role globally with our vocational training, says Aleksandar Toth, Head of Vocational Training at Ivoclar. We live a culture in which young people are valued, allowed to take responsibility, and specifically promoted — regardless of location.
Beyond professional training, Ivoclar invests in personality development, health awareness, and team building for its apprentices. The company also provides free continuing education courses for regional teachers, particularly in chemistry, allowing them to bring cutting-edge knowledge into their classrooms.
Proven Results
The results speak for themselves. Over the past six years, 22 apprentices from Schaan achieved outstanding final exam results, earning their place in the Golden Book at Vaduz Castle. An impressive 15 percent of the Schaan workforce are former apprentices, with one now holding a senior management position within the group.
Starting in summer 2026, Ivoclar will expand its apprenticeship offerings at its headquarters with two new professions: Multimedia Electronics Technician and Electronics Technician. This brings the total number of apprenticeship programs at the Schaan location to nine, further strengthening Liechtensteins position as a hub for skilled workforce development.
A Model for Liechtenstein Business
Liechtenstein has long been known for its strong apprenticeship system, and Ivoclar sets the standard for how companies can scale their training programs internationally while maintaining the quality and values that make the Liechtenstein model so successful.
For more information about Ivoclar vocational training programs, visit ivoclar.com/berufsbildung.
Source: Liechtenstein Business (Liechtenstein Marketing)