Vocational education and training

These VET programmes provide young people with more practical skills to obtain a recognised qualification for a specific occupational profile. Graduates of the two-year programme for the Federal VET Certificate may enrol directly in a three- or four-year programme for the Federal VET Diploma

These VET programmes provide learners with the competences needed to work in a specific occupation and open access to tertiary-level professional education. Learners also have the option of preparing for the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (FVB) either during their training or after qualifying.

There are two sides to the apprenticeship market: the supply side (host companies offering apprenticeship positions) and the demand side (young people looking for apprenticeship positions). The State plays a mediating role: it ensures the best possible general conditions for host companies, encourages them to offer apprenticeship positions and helps young people to choose an occupation.

The apprenticeship vacancies bulletin enables young people to search all open apprenticeships using various search criteria.

The Transitions Barometer shows the current situation and short-term development trends after compulsory education. The key features of the current situation are measured and monitored in representative surveys of companies and young people. The Transitions Barometer is conducted every year in the month of April and August.

Cantonal career guidance services work closely with schools to help young people choose an occupation and find a suitable apprenticeship.

Transitional solutions are intended for young people who face social and/or scholastic challenges in their transition from lower- to upper-secondary level and/or have been unable to find an apprenticeship. In addition to courses aimed at improving scholastic, linguistic or other skills, young people attend a course to prepare them for enrolment in a VET programme. The acquired skills improve their chances of finding an apprenticeship.

The trademark and strength of the Swiss VPET system is the direct correlation with the labour market. This is reflected in three different learning locations.

VPET professionals can be found at both upper-secondary level (three learning locations: host companies, vocational schools and branch training centres) and tertiary level (professional education institutions) within the Swiss VPET system. They ensure that education and training is practice-oriented and directly related to real work situations. SERI ensures the quality of vocational pedagogy courses for VPET professionals (in german).

Young people who are both hard workers and fast learners have the possibility of shortening the duration of their VET programme, obtaining exemption from portions of education training and even waiving the final examination. Workplace trainers at host companies are also encouraged to give greater responsibility and more challenging tasks to such young people. Vocational schools also offer optional courses (e.g. language certification courses). Finally, organisations such as Schweizer Jugend forscht encourage talented young people to develop and present their ideas on any subject, compete with one another (e.g. at national competitions) and gain corresponding recognition.

Each year, numerous Swiss trade associations select their champions to compete at skills competitions at various levels. Thanks to the SwissSkills initiative, centralised competitions are held on a regular basis. These events are opportunities to showcase and experience occupations live. SwissSkills competitions also serve as a qualifier for EuroSkills and WorldSkills competitions.

The Swiss VPET system is an important advantage for the Swiss economy and improves its international competitiveness. Continuous development and adaptation of the VPET system in response to fresh challenges requires knowledge that can be gained through VPET research.

In Switzerland, it is the private sector that initiates the process of creating, reviewing and revising training programmes for upper-secondary level vocational education and training (VET). Every five years, these VET programmes are reviewed in light of economic, technological, environmental and didactic developments and then adapted to suit the needs of the labour market.