The Hotel Communications Specialist EFZ (HoKo) program is a three-year, school-based vocational education program in Switzerland, with a strong focus on communication, administration, and guest relations in the hospitality industry.

The program is delivered at EHL Hotel School Passugg and combines hands-on training on campus with structured internships in hotels, ensuring a close link between theory and real-world practice.

The HoKo leads to an EFZ (Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis), a federally recognized Swiss apprenticeship diploma that is officially accredited in Switzerland.

Please note: the HoKo program is taught exclusively in German and is therefore designed for German-speaking students. If you would like to study in English, please see our Swiss Professional Degree.

HoKo apprentices learning in the classroom and are being coached by the teacher

A solid foundation in hotel communication and administration

In the HoKo apprenticeship, you develop the core skills needed for everyday hotel operations – from professional guest communication and organization to administrative processes.

You will learn to:

  • manage administrative and organizational tasks in a hotel environment

  • communicate confidently with guests and deliver high service standards

  • work hands-on across different hotel departments

  • spend around 50% of your training time in paid hotel internships

Practical. Structured. With a clear pathway to further education.

EHL Hotel School Passugg nestled in the Swiss Alps

Get to know the campus and the HoKo apprenticeship in person

Campus Tour

Ideal for an initial orientation

Visit the EHL Hotel School Passugg campus and get an overview of the HoKo apprenticeship, daily school life, and future education pathways.

The campus tour is a great first step for prospective students and parents who want to understand the environment and structure of the program.

Trial Day (Schnuppertag)

Ideal if you are seriously considering the HoKo apprenticeship

Experience a typical school day firsthand, meet current students and instructors, and find out whether the HoKo apprenticeship is the right fit for you.

Please note that the HoKo apprenticeship is taught in German, as it is a Swiss federally recognized apprenticeship program.

Structure of the HoKo Apprenticeship: Courses & Internships

The HoKo apprenticeship (EFZ) follows a clearly structured program that combines classroom-based education with several practical internship semesters in hotels. Students gain hands-on experience across the key areas of hotel operations – from service, kitchen, housekeeping, and front office to communication, administration, and organization.

In the first semester, you gain a solid introduction to how a gastronomic operation works and collect your first hands-on experience in both the kitchen and service areas.

  • Kitchen: theory and practical training

  • Service: theory and practical training

  • Communication skills

  • Business organization

  • Languages: English and French or Italian

  • Accounting basics

  • Information technology

  • General education (ABU – general education subjects)

  • Sports

  • Project week: excursions and workshops

Six-month internship in service and kitchen operations at a hotel.

  • Duration: 6 months

  • Internship salary: CHF 1,400 per month

  • Support: Guidance and placement assistance from the Career Services team

The focus is on front office, administration, and organizational processes within a hotel operation.

  • Front Office – theory and practice

  • Housekeeping – theory and practice

  • Communication

  • Hotel operations and organization

  • Languages: English and French or Italian

  • Accounting

  • Information technology

  • General education (ABU – general education subjects)

  • Sports

  • Project week: excursions and workshops

One-year internship in the areas of front office, administration, and housekeeping within a hotel operation.

  • Duration: 12 months

  • Internship salary: CHF 1,700 per month

  • Support: Ongoing guidance and support from the Career Services team

Advanced training in communication, marketing, and organization, combined with preparation for the final qualification procedure:

  • Communication

  • Tourism & Marketing

  • Online Marketing

  • Information Technology

  • Business Organization

  • Human Resources

  • Languages: English and French or Italian

  • Accounting

  • General Education (ABU)

  • Sports

  • Project Week: Specialization Project

  • Preparation for the Final Qualification Procedure

This is how students experience the HoKo apprenticeship

More videos

Voices from the HoKo Apprenticeship

What makes the HoKo Apprenticeship unique

The HoKo apprenticeship at EHL Hotel School Passugg uniquely combines academic learning with real-world professional experience. Students take on responsibility early on, work hands-on, and experience everyday hotel operations from the very beginning.

 

Communication & Guest Interaction

Throughout the HoKo apprenticeship, students develop strong communication skills - through direct guest interaction, collaboration with partners, and digital communication channels. They gain practical experience in marketing, service, and customer relations.

 

Responsibility from Day One

Students assume responsibility early in their training and actively contribute to the school hotel environment - from restaurants and the coffee bar to events and special functions. Theory and practice are closely connected.

 

An International Campus Experience

At the EHL Campus Passugg, students study and live alongside peers from different countries and cultures. This international environment strengthens language skills, openness, and intercultural competence.

 

Structured Internships with Professional Support

Around half of the apprenticeship is spent in internships at hotel properties. The Career Services team actively supports students in finding suitable internship placements.

 

A structured education combining hands-on practice, personal guidance, and clear career perspectives.

Fees, Salary & Scholarships

The HoKo apprenticeship (EFZ) is transparently structured and financially predictable. In addition to the tuition fees, learners earn a salary during their internships and may apply for scholarships if needed.

The tuition fees include, among other things:

  • Tuition fees
  • Uniforms and learning materials
  • Campus fees
  • Meals
  • Optional: on-campus accommodation 

Internship Salary During the Program

During the three internship semesters, learners earn a total internship salary of CHF 28,800, which can be used to help finance the program.

Scholarships & Financial Support

Depending on their canton of residence, learners may apply for public education grants or private scholarships. In Switzerland, various cantonal and private organizations offer financial support for vocational education.

Selected scholarship and support organizations:

Our team is happy to advise you personally on tuition fees, financing options, and scholarship opportunities.

Admissions & Fees

Are you a good candidate for the Hotel Communications Specialist EFZ course?

When considering your application for the Hotel Communications Specialist EFZ course, our admissions team will look at your:

  • Academic qualifications, including school certificates, tests and grades
  • Knowledge of languages
  • Personality and motivation

We invite you to learn more about the admission requirements and fees.

Apply Online

Use the button below to open and account and start your application.

If you already have an EHL account, please login with your existing credentials to proceed with your application.

Do you have questions about the HoKo apprenticeship?

Frequently Asked Questions about the HoKo EFZ Apprenticeship at EHL Hotel School Passugg

Here you’ll find clear and concise answers to the most common questions about the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship - including the program structure and duration, admission requirements and costs, as well as career and further education opportunities after graduation.

The HoKo EFZ is a three-year, school-based Swiss apprenticeship focused on communication, administration, and guest services in the hospitality industry.

The program combines hands-on classroom learning at EHL Hotel School Passugg with paid internships in hotel operations. Apprentices gain experience across key departments such as front office, service, kitchen, housekeeping, and administration, developing a comprehensive understanding of how a hotel operates.
The HoKo apprenticeship is ideal for communicative, open-minded young people who enjoy working with others and are interested in hospitality, organization, and international working environments.

This program is particularly well suited for students who:
  • enjoy taking on responsibility
  • are looking for variety rather than a purely office-based role
  • want to use and develop multiple languages
  • prefer hands-on, practical learning

To start the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship, you must turn 16 by the end of the first semester at the latest. This requirement is necessary so that you are eligible to begin the internship phase in the second semester.

Please note:
To live on campus, a minimum age of 16 at the start of the program is required. For younger students, alternative housing options are available, such as an apprentice residence or the Casa Florentini in Chur.

Our recommendation:
If you do not yet meet the minimum age requirement, we strongly recommend taking a gap year. This time can be used productively to gain initial work experience, improve language skills, or develop personally. A well-planned gap year can significantly ease the transition into the HoKo apprenticeship and is something we explicitly encourage.

We have published a detailed blog article [in German] on this topic.

To enroll in the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship, applicants must have completed compulsory lower secondary education. Depending on the canton, this level may be referred to as Lower Secondary Level I, Secondary School Level A, Sek level, or Level 1.
Graduates of lower-track secondary schools (such as Sek levels B, C, or G) do not meet the academic requirements.

Languages:
The language of instruction is German. In addition, applicants should have basic knowledge of English as well as French or Italian.

Tip:
If you are unsure whether your language skills are sufficient, it may be beneficial to spend a year in a region where another language is spoken before starting the program. This can help you strengthen your language skills and prepare more confidently for the HoKo apprenticeship.

The HoKo EFZ apprenticeship lasts a total of three years (six semesters).

  • Three academic semesters at EHL Hotel School Passugg

  • Three paid internship semesters in hotel operations

The program alternates between school-based semesters and practical training semesters.

  • Semester 1: Restaurant & Service

  • Semester 2: Internship in Kitchen & Service

  • Semester 3: Accommodation Management (Front Office & Housekeeping)

  • Semesters 4–5: Accommodation Internship

  • Semester 6: Communication & Advanced Studies

The HoKo apprenticeship combines communication, hospitality operations, organization, and marketing.

  • Guest communication and professional interaction

  • Front office, service, and housekeeping

  • Marketing and social media

  • Accounting and business organization

  • English and a second foreign language

  • Event and project work

Graduates of the HoKo apprenticeship work in hotels, resorts, event venues, and hospitality businesses.

Typical entry-level positions include:

  • Guest services / Front desk (Reception)

  • Guest Relations

  • Event Management

  • Booking and reservations departments

  • Marketing or Sales Assistant roles

  • Floor Supervisor

During the internship semesters, students earn a total salary of approximately CHF 28,800.

  • 2nd semester: approx. CHF 1,400 per month

  • 4th–5th semesters: approx. CHF 1,700 per month

The internship salary can be used to help finance the cost of the apprenticeship.

The costs include tuition fees, learning materials, uniforms, and meals.

Students who live on campus pay accommodation and board separately. A detailed overview of fees is available online.

View the fee overview [in German]

Yes. Cantonal scholarships as well as private funding opportunities are available in Switzerland.

In addition, the internship salary helps many students finance their education.

Selected scholarship and funding organizations include:

Yes. Completing a trial day or trial week is a requirement for the application.

The hotel companies listed offer trial days or trial weeks that give you a behind-the-scenes look at the different departments. Please contact the HR contact person directly. When making your request, be sure to mention that you are interested in the Hotel Communications Specialist (HoKo) apprenticeship at EHL Hotel School Passugg and that you found the contact details on the school’s list of recommended hotels.

Location Company
Adelboden Bellevue Parkhotel & Spa
Arosa Tschuggen Grand Hotel und Hotel Valsana
Arosa Waldhotel Arosa
Basel Krafft Gruppe
Bergün Kurhaus Bergün
Chur Hotel ABC
Chur Hotel Stern Chur
Flims Schweizerhof Flims, Romantik Hotel
Grindelwald Hotel & Apartments Kirchbühl
Horn Hotel Bad Horn
Küsnacht Romantik Seehotel Küsnacht
Laax Weisse Arena Hospitality AG, Signinahotel
Lenzerheide Hotel Schweizerhof
St. Moritz Hotel Restaurant Hauser St. Moritz
Valbella Hotel Seehof Valbella
Vitznau Hotel Vitznauerhof
Winterthur Park Hotel Winterthur
Zermatt Hotel Mont Cervin Palace
Zuoz Hotel Castell Zuoz
Zürich Genossenschaft ZFV-Unternehmungen
schweizweit Sunstar Swiss Hotel Collection

The HoKo apprenticeship starts every year in August.

Yes. After completing the HoKo apprenticeship, it is possible to pursue the Swiss Professional Degree at EHL Hotel School Passugg. This Degree is offered in German and English.

Graduates of the HoKo apprenticeship at EHL Hotel School Passugg can continue their studies by enrolling in the HF diploma program in Hospitality Management and complete the degree in just two additional years.

Learners who completed their HoKo apprenticeship in a hotel, as well as those holding another hospitality-related Swiss EFZ qualification, can complete the HF program in 2.5 years.

The HoKo apprenticeship is more practice-oriented and more strongly focused on guest interaction and the hospitality industry than a traditional commercial (KV) apprenticeship.

Key differences include:

  • Working in a real hotel environment

  • A higher proportion of practical training and project work

  • An international learning environment

  • A strong focus on communication and service quality

Swiss Professional Degree student at the campus bar

Your options after completing the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship

After completing the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship, several pathways are open to you – from entering the workforce directly to pursuing further education.

  • HF degree in Hospitality Management
    Continue your education and earn the Swiss Diploma in Hospitality Management (HF) in just two additional years, without a vocational baccalaureate.

  • Direct entry into the workforce
    Start your career in hospitality, guest services, or administrative roles.

  • Further training and specialization
    Develop your skills in areas such as marketing, event management, or other hospitality-related fields.

Learn more about your options in our blog [in German].

EHL-Passugg_HoKo_Header

After the HoKo Apprenticeship: Your Direct Path to an HF Degree

After completing the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship, you can move directly into the shortened Swiss Professional Degree program.

At EHL Hotel School Passugg, graduates benefit from a clearly structured, practice-oriented continuing education pathway designed to build on their apprenticeship experience.

  • Shortened study duration after completing the HoKo apprenticeship
  • Direct progression without detours
  • A strong combination of practical experience and management skills

HoKo EFZ Apprenticeship – Download the Brochure

Get all the key information about the HoKo EFZ apprenticeship at a glance – including program content, structure, admission requirements, and post-graduation opportunities [in German].

HoKo Brochure download