The Dual Vocational Education System – Insights into the Swiss Education System e+i Face-to-Face Meeting Thun, 13-16 May 2013

Benedikt Hauser, 13.05.2013

VET in Switzerland – Key characteristics

1)  VET = Integral part of the Swiss education system

2)  VET = A prominent position within the Swiss education System

3)  VET = Based on the demand of companies for qualified workers

VET in Switzerland - typical features 1) A vast majority of small and medium sized enterprises 2) Providing apprenticeships by private companies = a long

tradition 3) Young People (16-18): A vast majority enrols in VET-

programmes 4) Private sector = actively involved in VET-system 5) Switzerland is proud of its VET-system 6) "No dead ends" – permeability 7) Strategic management and development = Confederation

Implementation (VET-schools) = Cantons

Demand

Supply

92’000 96‘500

Apprenticeship market (August, 31 2012)

                     

Federal VET Certificate (2 years)

or Federal VET Diploma (3 or 4 years)

   

Dual-track VET approach: Connecting practice with theory

practice

company

3 – 4 days per week

theory

vocational school

1 – 2 days per week

practice/course

intercompany- courses total 3-8

VET in Switzerland – Low (youth) unemployment

Source: OECD / March, 22 2013

0  

5  

10  

15  

20  

25  

30  

35  

40  

45  

50  

Switzerland

 Nethe

rland

s  Japan  

Austria

 Ge

rmany  

Norway  

Korea  

Mexico  

Australia  

Israel  

Canada  

Denm

ark  

Iceland  

Russian  Fede

raHo

n  Sloven

ia  

OEC

D  coun

tries  

Luxembo

urg  

New

 Zealand

 United  States  

Chile  

Czech  Re

public  

Turkey  

Belgium  

Finland  

United  Kingdo

m  

Estonia  

France  

Swed

en  

Poland

 Hu

ngary  

Italy  

Portugal  

Ireland

 Slovak  Rep

ublic  

Greece  

Spain  

%  age  group  25-­‐64   %  of  age  group  15-­‐24  

VET in Switzerland - bottom-up initiatives

7