Swiss VET research takes hold 

4/2/2009 

SFIVET’s first Interdisciplinary Congress on Research in Vocational Education and Training was held from 25 to 27 March 2009. Around 170 researchers and specialists from 12 different countries were presented current research findings and engaged in intense discussions on the most effective and efficient design of VET systems and programmes.

Switzerland has a highly successful VET/PET system based on a combined school-based and work-based approach to learning. Switzerland’s VET/PET system also has the capacity to flexibly respond to economic and technological developments. This innovative capacity was highlighted in a recent OECD report. The Interdisciplinary Congress on Research in Vocational Education and Training has set the stage for in-depth international scientific discussions on the factors leading to greater or lesser efficiency and effectiveness in VET programmes.

Key issues
Internationally renowned researchers gave four presentations on central issues and challenges. James W. Pellegrino was among the keynote speakers (University of Illinois, Chicago). A well-known assessment expert, Prof. Pellegrino stressed how complex and demanding it is to design viable and valid tests for measuring outcomes that are meaningfully related to the goals pursued in VET programmes. Simone Volet (Murdoch University, Australia) presented research findings showing the importance of encouraging group learning dynamics, which play an important role in work-based approaches to learning.  

Active junior researchers
Particularly satisfying: junior researchers from Swiss VET/PET research networks gave numerous presentations. Various universities and researchers from different scientific disciplines take part in these networks, which conduct research on a wide range of topics: How smooth are the transitions from compulsory education (at lower-secondary level) to VET programmes (at upper-secondary level) and finally to the labour market? What factors influence the willingness of companies to[jrbk1]  offer apprenticeship training in upper-secondary level VET programmes? How are occupational skills developed? What factors cause VET students to interrupt their apprenticeships before completion? What measures can be taken to help disadvantaged youths complete their VET programme? The latest findings regarding these and other questions were presented and discussed at the congress. Further, a new scientific journal, “Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training” (ERVET), was presented for the first time at the congress. This scientific journal is partially funded by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET).  
Vocational education and training is the focus of many different scientific studies: sixty presentations together with lively and controversial discussions showed that, when it comes to effective/efficient management and design of VET programmes, economic and sociological studies are every bit as important as pedagogical and psychological studies.  

“The system works”
SFIVET Director, Dalia Schipper, was delighted to see so many participants from all over the world attend the congress. Top international experts in the VET field, including several representatives from the OECD, presented their findings at SFIVET. “What we are experiencing here today is exactly what the OPET had hoped to encourage. This is the first time that things have really taken hold.” According to Ms Schipper, Switzerland’s VET/PET system works so well because of its ability to implement innovative ideas: “the congress shows that the system works.“ A follow-up congress is scheduled to take place in two-years’ time  [jrbk1]Lehrbetrieb = host company (OPET); training firm (OECD). Since OPET uses the term host company, it is better to use the term “company” rather than “firm” in this context. 

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