Developments
The various profiles of higher vocational education and training are to be strengthened and made more distinct from other educational offers, such as vocationally oriented continuing education, for instance. The Conference of Swiss Colleges of Higher Vocational Education and Training was founded in 2007.
Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training
With the revision of the Federal Constitution of 18 April 1999 (Article 63), the legal responsibility for all vocational education and training was transferred to the Confederation. In accordance with the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training of 13 December 2002, all occupations outside of the remit of the universities have been incorporated under a uniform system, enabling direct comparisons to be made. The Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training came into effect on 1 January 2004 and includes the professions of agriculture and forestry, which were previously governed by other regulating bodies; in addition, it transferred responsibility for the vocational fields of healthcare, social work and art, which were previously regulated on a cantonal or inter-cantonal basis, to the Confederation. The revision of the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training offers new, differentiated ways of vocational education and training, and supports permeability between different areas of the vocational education and training system.
The cantons, the Confederation and professional organisations are all involved in the implementation of the Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training; corresponding reforms are underway in all areas of vocational education and training. This also entails changes in higher vocational education and training, including the following (among others):
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Recognition and framework curricula of colleges of higher vocational education and training
The Ordinance on Minimum Regulations for the Recognition of Courses and Post-Diploma Studies at Colleges of Higher Vocational Education and Training issued on 11 March 2005 by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA) governs the conditions under which courses and post-diploma studies at colleges of higher vocational education and training are recognised by the Confederation. Now, all courses are based on a Swiss-wide framework curriculum.
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Financing system of vocational education and training
The Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training provides for a new financing system in vocational education and training, moving from expense-oriented subsidisation to performance-oriented subsidisation. Federal contributions are to be issued to the cantons as lump-sum payments. Thus, the cantons must adapt their agreements on freedom of movement and financing in the field of vocational education and training. In a master plan, jointly compiled by the Confederation and the cantons, the foundations are currently being laid for an agreement in the field of higher vocational education and training, whereby transparency of costs in particular must be realised and the criteria for public contributions must be defined.
Permeability and mobility
In the area of vocational education and training, the European Union is working on the assurance of permeability, transparency and mobility (Copenhagen Process). Efforts are underway to establish a specific model for vocational education and training (European Credits for Vocational Education and Training, ECVET) in analogy to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for universities. Switzerland is actively participating in this process at an expert level in collaboration with the European Union.
In conjunction with the improvement of permeability in the Swiss education system, the permeability between higher vocational education and training and the universities is under discussion.
Further information
