The VET/PET sector in Switzerland is closely linked to economic, political, social and cultural dynamics. Swiss upper-secondary level VET programmes and tertiary-level PET programmes enable students to become qualified professionals in their field.
The VET/PET sector in Switzerland covers the full range of training possibilities. Students begin their training by enrolling in an upper-secondary level VET programme. Although some VET programmes are based on a single learning location (i.e. a vocational school), most VET programmes are based on two or three learning locations (i.e. a vocational school, a host company and -depending on the occupation- an industry training or third-party training centre).
The first type of VET programme is referred to as an entirely school-based VET programme because all education and training takes place at the vocational school. The second type is referred to as a combined school/work-based VET programme because students attend the vocational school part-time to learn theoretical principles and do a part-time paid apprenticeship at a host company to gain practical skills. For some occupations, students also attend industry or third-party training courses as a complement to what they learn at vocational schools and host companies.
Both entirely school-based and combined school/work-based VET programmes facilitate transitions to the labour market by providing young people with an upper-secondary level qualification (Federal VET Diploma).
VET graduates in Switzerland may continue their studies at tertiary B level by either enrolling in a professional college degree programme or by preparing for one of Switzerland's national professional examinations (Federal PET Diploma and Advanced Federal PET Diploma).
Swiss VET and PET institutions also offer continuing education and training (CET) programmes and courses at both upper-secondary and tertiary B level.
With constant changes taking place on the labour market, the need to take education and training to higher levels has become increasingly important.
SFIVET's R&D Division considers the following sociological issues:
- What systemic factors characterise the VET/PET sector in Switzerland and VET systems abroad?
- What roles and responsibilities are given to the various actors within the VET/PET sector?
- How are VET/PET innovations initiated and guided?
- What relations exist between the VET/PET sector, the labour market and other social systems (culture, technology, politics)?
- What trends can be discerned in relation to the knowledge society and what impact do these trends have on VET and PET programmes?
- In what ways does the Swiss VET/PET sector interact with other education sectors?
The research and development activities carried out by SFIVET's R&D Division enable the Swiss VET/PET sector to be managed in a forward-looking manner. They also establish the foundation needed to export the Swiss VET/PET model to other countries.
SFIVET's R&D Division provides the following services:
- Participation in international programmes to analyse VET sectors in other countries.
- Production of publications and lectures to provide policymakers with the information needed to make decisions relating to the Swiss VET/PET sector.