Not sure whether to post this in Employment or Visas, but here it goes...

... my fiancé is being issued with an L-permit, he's not looking for a job yet (busy learning German) but when he does, can he use the RAV and its support/facilities?

Anyone know?

Cheers
Dani

Yes, he can try. Not sure he will find much there, depending on his skill/area since they dont work with professionals.

What do you mean by that statement? RAV works with people across the job spectrum.

They seem to have all kinds of jobs looking at their online postings. It's more about them helping with the CV, application letter and the like.

Not sure about where you can use the RAV on a L permit but the courses the offer are definitely across the spectrum.

Participants are placed according to where they are in their career. I just completed one for professionals and it was very worthwhile. As a foreigner in Switzerland it was very interesting to learn about how to present yourself in the Swiss job market. It is a mix of group/ individual coaching. It was also good to meet others in a similar situation both to network and make friends.

Good luck!

Sorry,
I am confused here; the locations of both these posters is not it seems Switzerland; cannot comment on what the RAV does in the UK; but my experience here is that they have almost no work for professionals; the private sector (agencies) and indeed direct applications to companies is the route they normally take.

My location duly updated, sorry about that

The RAV is a little more than the JobCentre. My own experience of RAV is that they help your search for work. I don't expect them to provide me with work, but rather to help me point myself in the right direction. Sure, my details are on their website, but I know what you mean and I don't expect to find something in my field via treffpunkt-arbeit.ch.
Nonetheless, I'm currently doing a job strategy course, supported by them which is helping me to adapt to the Swiss market as well as practice interview technique etc. So far this has been a great experience, and it's tailored to the professional market. IT professionals, PR consultants, financiers and like. After this, and also through RAV I'm going to do a 6 month placement at a research institute which will give me an additional work certificate and help fill in the gap in my work record.

However, back to the OP. It would be worthwhile to consult RAV before taking up German classes. Should your financé qualify for RAV assistance, he may be able to do courses through RAV.

I guess you have been lucky with your RAV consultant. Mine just told me to apply for cleaning, catering and the like jobs and sent me away. I am a software engineer with a masters degree in computer science. I repeatedly told her that I am looking for a job in my area but she said this is what she has. Needless to say I didn't bother going to the second meeting with the consultant.

The focus of RAV is to help people who have been sacked from their previous job. If you have left a job in another country to come to Switzerland, they can't help.

To answer my own question after emailing the RAV directly - he can register with them.

It's a bit of a suprise because he has never paid any contributions in Switzerland (and doesn't qualify for Arbeitslosengeld), and having access to their facilities and services costs money too.

But nice to know there's another channel we can search jobs over and more importantly, get support.

I haven't specifically asked about the courses they offer because quite frankly I'd feel a bit like a leech getting free (language) courses on top of that as well...

It is in the RAV's self interest to find him a job.

When he is earning he will be

- paying tax
- paying into the unemployment insurance scheme
- spending more money generally in the economy
- contributing to the economy

That's a hell of a lot of common sense for an institution like that

That sounds unfortunate and I'm sorry to hear this. I moved (changing Gemeinde) while unemployed and my experience with RAV changed too. The first guy in the city was very laid back and casual and just told me to "work on my strategy". When I moved, my new consultant was critical of the first guy's approach and booked me on this course. As another poster has since said, it's in their interest to get people employed, so it's disappointing that they are not a little more forthcoming with assistance measures like this.