1. Swiss VET System
Mai 16th, 2017
Bruno Jehle – Founder bj institute

2. India and Switzerland

3. The most popular form of basic education and training
VET
Vocational Education and Training enables young people to
enter the labour market and ensures that there are enough
specialists and managers in the future. VET is geared to the
labour market and is part of the education system.
The most popular form of basic education and training
Vocational education and training provides two-thirds of young
people in Switzerland with a solid basis for lifelong learning.
It also opens up a wealth of job prospects.

4. Part of the education system
Vocational education and training takes place at
upper-secondary level. It is based on clearly
defined curricula and national qualification procedures.
Typically, it is very flexible: students may
pursue vocational opportunities and change
course in their professional life with relative ease.
Continuing education and training (CET) opportunities
are also available at all levels.

5. Qualifications which lead to jobs
VET programmes closely match the needs of the
labour market, both in terms of professional qualifications
and the number of available jobs.
The close correlation with the labour market explains
why Switzerland has one of the lowest youth
unemployment rates among European countries.

6. Dual-track approach to learning
Most VET programmes consist of part-time studies at a vocational
school combined with a part-time apprenticeship at a host
company. There are over 200 careers to choose from.
3-4 Days a Week
at Industry.
Practical skills
on job training
1-2 Days a Week
at Vocational School.
Trade-related education
and general knowledge
Students / Apprentices
Duration: 2-4 years

7. Apprenticeship Contract
Industry
Confederation
Professional
Organisations
Cantons/States

8. VET programmes: Dual-track predominate
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
VET programmes: Dual-track predominate
There are also VET programmes based on a full-time curriculum
(i.e. no apprenticeship). These full-time VET programmes are
generally offered by trade schools or commercial schools.

9. Career prospects Tertiary-level professional education and training
(PET) is the next step after vocational education
and training (VET). PET programmes provide
students with specific qualifications and prepare
them for managerial and specialised positions.
There are around 400 PET programmes leading to
national professional examinations and 400 PET
programmes leading to professional college
degrees. The Federal Vocational Baccalaureate
provides direct access to Swiss universities of
applied sciences (UAS).

10. The most popular occupations in Switzerland 2007
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
The most popular occupations in Switzerland 2007

11. One mission – three partners
Professional Organisations
Cantons/States
Confederation
Vocational and professional education and training is a mission
shouldered by the Confederation, the Cantons and Professional
Organisations.
These three partners are jointly committed to the highest
possible standard of VET/PET and strive to ensure that there
is an adequate number of apprenticeships and CET courses.

12. Professional Organisations: Curricula and apprenticeship
- Trade Associations
- Other relevant VET Providers
- Companies
• Definition of the curriculum and national qualification procedures
• Creation of apprenticeship positions
• Provision of vocational qualifications
• Development of new education and training courses

13. Cantons / States: Implementation and supervision
- Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education
- 26 cantonal VET/PET offices - Occupational, educational and career guidance
counselling services
- Vocational Schools
• Supervision of apprenticeships
• Vocational schools, part-time and full-time curricula
• Occupational, educational and career guidance
• Apprenticeship marketing
• Further development and planning of the Swiss VET/PET system

14. Confederation: Strategic Management and development
- Swiss Ofice for Professional Education and
Training (OPET)
- Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education
and Training (SFIVET)
• Quality assurance and further development of the Swiss VET/PET system
• Comparability and transparency of courses throughout Switzerland
• Enactment of over 200 VET ordinances
• Regulations and core curriculums for PET programmes
• Payment of 25% of publicsector expenditure for the VET/PET system
• Promotion and support for specific activities in the public interest

15. Training Arrangements
In-company training
Here they are taught the practical skills needed
for their chosen occupation.
In-school education
Vocational schools provide in-school education.
This consists of vocational instruction and general
academic subjects.
Industry courses
Industry courses are meant to complement in-
school education and in-company training. Industry
courses often take place at third-party training
centres run by the industries involved.
Industry
Vocational Schools
Organisations

16. Swiss VET/PET Funding Public funding
The Cantons are responsible for implementing
VET/PET programmes. As such they provide at least
three-fourths of public funding.
Professional organisations
Professional organisations provide both services and
funding to the VET/PET system.
VET/PET funds
The Confederation may declare some VET/PET funds
to be of general interest and therefore mandatory
for all companies within a given economic branch.

17. Cost/benefit ratio for compaies
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Cost/benefit ratio for compaies
Cost/benefit ratio for Swiss companies involved in VET/PET
programmes, in CHF million, survey year 2004

18. Ranking of the international competitiveness 2009
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Ranking of the international competitiveness 2009

19. Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Despite high wages globalization brings more export surplus – due to high quality
Swiss goods imported and exported in contrast to newly industrialized countries
and countries in-transition advancing in the world economy, 2008

20. Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Balance of trade / Deficit in percentage in the Gross Domestic Product 2007

21. The Swiss wealth does not originate from the banks only
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
The Swiss wealth does not originate from the banks only

22. Switzerland had the lowest unemployment rate
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Switzerland had the lowest unemployment rate
Average unemployment rate from ( 14 years )

23. Switzerland had the highest rate of employment
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Switzerland had the highest rate of employment
Average employment rate between the period 1994 and 2005 ( 12 years )

24. Switzerland is exceptional with Baccalaureate
Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Switzerland is exceptional with Baccalaureate
Swiss Educational System is difficult to be compared with other countries
Rate of admission to University compared internationally 2005

25. Source: Rudolf H. Strahm 2010 – Swiss Vocational Education and Training – Switzerland‘s Source of Richness
Employees with vocational training are the least vulnerable to be unemployed
Rate of unemployment amongst the various educational qualifications; Statistically
evaluated result of population survey conducted in 2000 ( total population census )
Compared to average rate of unemployment ( = 100% )

26. VET is the best social protection
VET/PET Graduate
Earns initially about 20% than an unskilled an worker
Runs three times less the risk of being unemployed
Runs 2.5 times lower risk of becoming a welfare recipient
Is better equipped to cope with the restructuring processes in the globalised term
Has possibility of further education with career prospect

27. Occupational Fields in Swiss VET System - I
Nature
Plants, Horticulture
Animal care, animal husbandry
Agriculture
Forestry
Ecology, Environment
Food
Food Technology
Food crafts
Hospitality, Hotel and Restaurant
Restaurant, Hotel
Catering / Gastronomy
Textile
Textile processing
Textile manufacturing, textile Care
Leather processing
Beauty, Sports
Beauty
Sports, Exercise
Design, Visual Communication
Arts and Crafts
Manufacture of musical instruments
Visual Arts
Printing
Pre-press, Printing preparation
Printing techniques
Print Finishing
Construction
Building
Civil engineering
Stoneworking / Stone processing
Building technology
Assembly / Installation
Tinsmith / Plumber
Maintenance
Wood Finishing, Interior
Wood Finishing
Interior
Vehicles
Vehicle Technology
Car Body
Motorized agricultural and construction machinery
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Installation
Electronics

28. Occupational Fields in Swiss VET System - II
Metal, Machine
Mechanical Engineering
Metal Construction
Foundry
Forge
Watches
Chemistry, Physics
Laboratory
Production
Surface Finishing
Planning, Construction
Construction
Building Systems, Interior Fittings
Machine Design
Landscape Architecture, Surveying
Sale
Retail, Basic Education
Retail, further Training
Purchsing, Selling
Business, Administration
Basic Commercial Training
Advanced Commercial Training
Traffic, Logistics
Traffic
Storage, Logistics
Security, Police, Military
Import, Export, Forwarding
Recycling
Information Technology
Information Technology and Mediamatic
IT Application and Certificates
Culture
Language, Information
Radio, TV, Film
Stage, Performing Arts
Music
Heritage Preservation and Cultural Education
Health
Health Care
Rescue
Medical - administrational Sector
Medical - technical Sector
Medical - therapeutical Sector
Complementary and alternative Medicine
Education, Social Affairs
Teaching, Education,
Social Welfare, Counseling
Religion, Spirituality

29. Principle of "no dead-end qualifications"
Transitional options between lower- and
upper-secondary level
Transitional options include such things as practical training and pre-apprenticeships. These options are generally designed to prepare students for admission to upper-secondary level VET programmes.
Job-related continuing education and training (CET)
A wide range of job-related CET options are available at all training levels as part of lifelong learning.
VET for adults
Adults may take remedial courses to acquire a VET qualification. The Federal Vocational and Professional
Education and Training Act leaves several avenues open in this regard: these range from regulated,
structured procedures for occupational categories to individual recognition procedures.
Industry and
Commerce
Vocational
Schools
University of
Applied Science
Institutes of Technology
and Universities

30. Principle of "no dead-end qualifications"

31. Contact
Bruno Jehle Matina Hämmerli bj institute Gaessli 42 CH-5728 Gontenschwil Switzerland
Illustrations and Icons: Camil Hämmerli /