Continuing education in figures
 |  |
| |
The Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) shows that in 2003 more than a third of the adult population (36%) had taken part on continuing education courses. These adults attended one or more courses. The number of adults that participate on continuing education courses had stayed unchanged at around 40 % since 1993, until a regressive tendency occurred in 2001.
Professional continuing education
A total of 1.8 million adults attended 2.7 million continuing education courses in Switzerland in 2003. Two thirds of the courses were attended for professional reasons. In recent years the professional continuing education of the employees has developed more markedly in comparison to continuing education as a whole.
Employers provide significant support to the professional continuing education of their employees, either by arranging the course themselves or allowing the course to be carried out full time or part time during working hours, or by bearing some or all of the fees themselves. This applied to four out of five courses in 2003. In 2003 27 % of all employees attended company supported professional continuing education courses. This proportion did not change between 1999 and 2003. Senior (39 %) and middle management staff (37 %) are supported more frequently than other employees (23 %).
Individual forms of learning
In addition to the courses, other individual forms of learning can be opted for to continue individual education. The studying of specialist literature and the application of electronic media (computer, TV / video), the attendance at conventions and lectures as well as on-the-job instruction by colleagues are all forms of individual learning. Two thirds of the population (69 %) apply such individual forms of learning and around half of these accomplish these in addition to other courses. 38 % of adults take part in continuing education.
A total of 1.8 million adults attended 2.7 million continuing education courses in Switzerland in 2003. Two thirds of the courses were attended for professional reasons. In recent years the professional continuing education of the employees has developed more markedly in comparison to continuing education as a whole.
Employers provide significant support to the professional continuing education of their employees, either by arranging the course themselves or allowing the course to be carried out full time or part time during working hours, or by bearing some or all of the fees themselves. This applied to four out of five courses in 2003. In 2003 27 % of all employees attended company supported professional continuing education courses. This proportion did not change between 1999 and 2003. Senior (39 %) and middle management staff (37 %) are supported more frequently than other employees (23 %).
Individual forms of learning
In addition to the courses, other individual forms of learning can be opted for to continue individual education. The studying of specialist literature and the application of electronic media (computer, TV / video), the attendance at conventions and lectures as well as on-the-job instruction by colleagues are all forms of individual learning. Two thirds of the population (69 %) apply such individual forms of learning and around half of these accomplish these in addition to other courses. 38 % of adults take part in continuing education.
