VPET professionals

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).

VPET professionals work in the following capacities:

  • Host companies: as workplace trainers
  • Branch training centres (and comparable learning locations, trade schools and other recognised learning institutions): as branch course instructors
  • Vocational schools: as teachers responsible for vocational subjects, LCS subjects and preparatory subjects for the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate examination
  • Professional education institutions: as teachers

Content of vocational pedagogy courses

In vocational pedagogy, special emphasis is placed on approximating the realities of the professional activity and working environment. This has a direct impact on teaching and training practices. Vocational pedagogy courses for VPET professionals cover the following aspects:

  • Education system, legislation and pathways
  • Learners/students and their professional socialisation
  • How to plan learning activities and how to support and guide learners and students
  • How to apply their knowledge in workplace and classroom settings
  • Understanding their role in the learning process
  • Work with other stakeholders
  • Cross-cutting themes: digitalisation, sustainable development and equal opportunities

Providers of vocational pedagogy training

Vocational pedagogy training is mainly provided at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET) but also at Swiss universities of teacher education. In some cases, this training is provided directly by trade associations or other educational institutions.

Recognition and supervision

The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is responsible for the recognition and supervision of vocational pedagogy courses. This helps to ensure quality and further development of the Swiss VPET system.