Basic vocational education and training: overview
 |  | Around two thirds of the adolescents in Switzerland enter basic vocational education and training after the lower secondary level. A selection of around 250 professions is provided. |
A distinction can be made between the following basic vocational education and training courses:
 | The 2-year basic vocational education and training leading to a basic federal certificate of vocational education and training replaces the previous "Anlehre" (type of basic vocational education and training). It prepares the adolescents for practising a profession with basic requirements. Graduates receive a basic federal certificate of vocational education and training. |
| The 3-or-4-year basic vocational education and training leading to a federal certificate of vocational education and training prepares the adolescents for practising a particular profession and for higher vocational education and training courses. Graduates receive a federal certificate of vocational education and training. |
| The vocational baccalaureate programme leading to a federal vocational baccalaureate is an extended in-depth general education course and constitutes an enhancement of the 3-or-4-year basic vocational education and training. The education can be completed either during the 3-or-4-year basic vocational education and training (additional tuition in general education subjects), or afterwards by attending a corresponding educational institution (1-year full-time course or 1½-to-2-year part-time course) or, independent of any school, in taking the federal vocational baccalaureate examinations after the basic vocational education and training has been completed. |
Adult training
Adults can also earn a federal professional qualification. The Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training leaves many options open for providing evidence of skills. The spectrum ranges from regulated, structured procedures, through to individual approval procedures. In this context, professional or non-professional practical experience acquired outside the usual educational courses can be accredited as appropriate.
Organisation of education and training
Basic vocational education and training can be organised in different ways:
Adults can also earn a federal professional qualification. The Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training leaves many options open for providing evidence of skills. The spectrum ranges from regulated, structured procedures, through to individual approval procedures. In this context, professional or non-professional practical experience acquired outside the usual educational courses can be accredited as appropriate.
Organisation of education and training
Basic vocational education and training can be organised in different ways:
| It is predominantly based on a dual system (apprenticeship): practical training on 3 to 4 days at a business, with supplementary theoretical teaching (vocational and general educational subjects) on 1 to 2 days at the vocational school, as well as the teaching of additional vocational practical skills in business-to-business courses, which are conducted by professional associations. The education and training in professional practice can be provided jointly by several businesses, in that 2 or more businesses with complementary activities come together as a group and train students together. |
| The basic vocational education and training can also be completed at a full-time vocational school. In the French-speaking and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland, the proportion of full-time vocational schools is higher than in German-speaking Switzerland. The full-time vocational schools include (among others): colleges of commerce (Handelsschulen / Handelsmittelschulen), informatics middle schools and Lehrwerkstätten. |
Governance and general conditions
According to the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training, vocational education and training is the joint responsibility of the Confederation, the cantons and professional organisations. The Confederation, which is represented by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET), is responsible for strategic control and development of all vocational education and training (basic vocational education and training, higher vocational education and training, and vocationally oriented continuing education). Among other aspects, this responsibility involves legislation, quality assurance, further development of the vocational education and training system and encouragement of innovation. The cantons organise the implementation of federal legislation and are responsible for supervision of vocational education and training.
Cantonal offices for vocational education and training
The cantonal offices for vocational education and training usually perform these tasks. The cantonal offices for vocational education and training are subordinate to the cantonal education departments, or in seldom cases the cantonal department of economics. On the inter-cantonal level, the offices for vocational education and training have combined to form the Swiss Conference of Offices for Vocational Education and Training, which coordinates the implementation of the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training among the cantons.
The operation of vocational information centres and career guidance centres is also the responsibility of the cantons. The cantonal vocational information centres and career guidance centres have combined to form the Swiss Conference of the Directors of Profession and Course Guidance.
Swiss Service Centre for Vocational Training, Study and Careers Counselling
The Swiss Service Centre for Vocational Training, Study and Careers Counselling has been in place since 2007 and is a newly founded institution of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) for the provision of services which are transferred to the cantons by the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training.
The cantons establish and maintain part-time and full-time vocational schools. Private providers can also establish and maintain institutions for vocational education and training. Professional organisations define course content, teach toward vocational qualifications and provide apprenticeships.
According to the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training, vocational education and training is the joint responsibility of the Confederation, the cantons and professional organisations. The Confederation, which is represented by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET), is responsible for strategic control and development of all vocational education and training (basic vocational education and training, higher vocational education and training, and vocationally oriented continuing education). Among other aspects, this responsibility involves legislation, quality assurance, further development of the vocational education and training system and encouragement of innovation. The cantons organise the implementation of federal legislation and are responsible for supervision of vocational education and training.
Cantonal offices for vocational education and training
The cantonal offices for vocational education and training usually perform these tasks. The cantonal offices for vocational education and training are subordinate to the cantonal education departments, or in seldom cases the cantonal department of economics. On the inter-cantonal level, the offices for vocational education and training have combined to form the Swiss Conference of Offices for Vocational Education and Training, which coordinates the implementation of the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training among the cantons.
The operation of vocational information centres and career guidance centres is also the responsibility of the cantons. The cantonal vocational information centres and career guidance centres have combined to form the Swiss Conference of the Directors of Profession and Course Guidance.
Swiss Service Centre for Vocational Training, Study and Careers Counselling
The Swiss Service Centre for Vocational Training, Study and Careers Counselling has been in place since 2007 and is a newly founded institution of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) for the provision of services which are transferred to the cantons by the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training.
The cantons establish and maintain part-time and full-time vocational schools. Private providers can also establish and maintain institutions for vocational education and training. Professional organisations define course content, teach toward vocational qualifications and provide apprenticeships.
| More information on Basic vocational education and training |
 | Developments |
| Statistical data |
| Terms of admission |
| Course contents |
| Requirements |
| Further education |
| Further information |
 | Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET) |
| OPET: Basic vocational education and training |
| OPET: Vocational baccalaureate |
| OPET: Validation of performance in education and training |
| Validation of performance in education and training (German, French, Italian) |
| OPET: Index of professions |
| Swiss Conference of Offices for Vocational Education and Training |
| Swiss Conference of the Directors of Profession and Course Guidance |
| Swiss Service Centre for Vocational Training, Study and Careers Counselling |
| Panorama |
