Welcome, new colleagues: Graduation ceremony of the Canton of Zurich
It is a tradition in Zurich to celebrate the graduates of the basic training program in a dignified setting and to welcome them as new colleagues: with live music, speeches, a photo shoot and a festive buffet, but also with awards for the three best graduates.
This year, the celebration had to be held twice on July 3 and 4 - otherwise the number of guests would have "blown up" the logistics. Over 200 new opticians with family and friends were present on both evenings. Representatives from the Technical Vocational School Zurich TBZ, AOVS and OPTIKSCHWEIZ were also present. There were 37 graduates from the four-year course and 51 graduates from the three-year course to celebrate. A lot of young blood for the ophthalmic optics industry - and in view of the problems with recruiting young talent elsewhere, proof of the attractiveness of the ophthalmic optics profession.
The celebrations were made possible by the great commitment of the Board of the Association of Zurich Opticians (VZA), as well as the active support of Essilor, Hoya, Optiswiss, Rodenstock, Zeiss and Nikon. The band "Miss Tax & the Magics", led by saxophonist and optometrist Markus Hofmann, provided the groovy musical accompaniment, while the festive and colorful outfits of the guests provided the visual fireworks.
The highlights of the evening were the diploma presentations, which were accompanied by great applause, and the presentation of awards to the three best graduates (examination and practical grades).
Optician EFZ: The best in the canton of Zurich 2025
Four-year training program
Rank 1: Nina Frei, Visilab Winterthur
2nd place: Neisa Clesle, Götte Optik Zurich
3rd place: Matthias Alder, McOptik Winterthur
Three-year training
Rank 1: Dominique D'Alterio, Blickwinkel Richterswil
2nd place: Caroline Rehfisch, Sehfelder Zurich and* Samuela Qemali, Fielmann Bülach
3rd place: Melina Melidis, Fielmann Winterthur and* Til Wyttenbach, Niederer Optik Zurich
*with the same grade point average.
