Philipp Gonon University of Zurich

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1 Philipp Gonon University of Zurich VET Reforms in Finland, Switzerland and China Swiss Vocational Education and Training Reforms University of Tampere (UTA) Seminar Talk

2 Agenda Topical reform projects Dual model as a role model? VET and Higher Education Conclusions

3 Federalist Switzerland 26 Cantons, 4 Languages Canton of Zurich Today: 8 Mio Population (2011)

4 (1) Topical reform projects: Background The Swiss Vocational Education System (VET) developed independently from the education system. In 19 th Century economic policy and social reforms led actors like the Swiss Trade Association, Entrepreneurs and Swiss Unions to build up schools, which supported the qualification and further education of workers. The foundation of a formalized qualification model including work-based-learning and schools (dual model of apprenticeship) emerged in the 20 th Century to the major provider for education for youth, meanwhile academic education remained a minor institution for an elite.

5 (1) Role of VET today: Permeable System in an Educational Space Today VET and the academic track of education are much closer and included in one system of education. In an educational space the different parts of the vocational, academic and adult educational institutions are linked together and often include hybrid programs which enable students to study on a tertiary level. From a fragmented educational approach a quite coherent system of education resulted.

6 Institute of Secondary and Vocational Education The Swiss Education System Permeability

7 (1) Further Education Law (2017) Lifelong Learning Formal Education Non-formal Education Informal Education Already regulated grey:structured education Need of regulation Basic Competences Federal Law of Further Education No need of regulation: individually organised

8 (1) Strengthening VET through Quality Strengthening Vocational Education as a long-term Project Swiss Trade Associations, Swiss Unions, Social Welfare Associations and Teacher Associations are in a strategic alliance Integration of vocational education into the law-making and constitutional process: federal law (1930) as pooling of the educational needs of trade, commerce and industry Sputnik shock educational expansion and impacts on VET VET in the light of other alternatives (the wild 1970s) Systematisation of VET as a result of a new consensus: new federal law 2002

9 (1) Quality in Education: Basic Legislation Constitutional law: Education: Art. 61a: Switzerland as an educational space : Federal authorities and cantons provide a high quality and permeability Constitutional law: VET: Art. 63: Federal authorities are entitled to legislate VET and further VET through a broad and permeable program Art. 63 a Higher Education and Art 64 Further Education Federal Act of VET Art 8: The providers of VET guarantee a high quality; federal authorities further the Quality development and define Quality standards and control the results Amendments of the federal VET law and cantonal laws include other elements of Quality

10 (2) Dual Model : Occupational Focus and multilevel Coordination Occupations (Beruflichkeit) is one of the pillars of organized VET. The occupational focus (as a DNA ) includes organizational, didactical and methodological standards for VET The program is standardized and specifically designed for each occupation in VET The other pillar is the multi-level coordination of the actors ( duales System ) who (firms, involved interest groups) are organizing VET

11 Source: SBFI Facts &Figures 2017

12 Source: SBFI Facts &Figures 2017

13 (2) Legislation in order to strengthens the Dual Model First national legislation on VET 1930 (1933) Overhauling cantonal specific and sector-specific laws in Switzerland Mandatory Schooling, Written apprenticeship contract Examinations for basic and further vocational education Balance of power between cantons, state and associations Till 1960: 162 reglementations for 238 occupations Furthermore sophisticated legislation acts: 1963, 1978,

14 (2) Diploma quota: Secondary II-Level Total % General education Vocational basic education BfS 2015/KW

15 (2) The dynamic of occupational definitions Since 2002 legislation: Rule, to renew all 5 years (!) the occupation by the stakeholders Since 1930s: Regulation of over 700 occupations, which include programs of VET Today 240 occupations being learnable through VET For every VET program exists a set of defined standards through an educational amendment and a educational plan (mandatory for firms) Most occupations are micro-occupations (only a few in Switzerland) Steady re-definition of VET and learning programs

16 (3) Higher Education Switzerland: Three progression routes a) From general education to Higher Education (classical academic route) b) From apprenticeship to the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS): based on a federal vocational baccalaureate (FVB) (from VET to academic HE) c) From apprenticeship to PET: based on a few years of practice as requirement before continuing in this field (from VET to VET-based Higher Education/Professional Education)

17 Swiss Education Credentials (Upper Secondary & Tertiary Level) Age Federal PET Certificate Advanced Federal PET Diploma PET Colleges Diploma Bachelor/Master Universities of Applied Sciences BA/MA/PhD Universities & ETHs 24 Practical work experience Federal VET Certificate (EBA) 2 years Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (1 & 2) Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) Company, VET School & inter-company-courses (3-4 years) Baccalaureate 18/19 16

18 (3) Highest Grade of Education, Swiss Population 24 to 65 years Mandatory School , Secondary II 59,7 54, Tertiary Level 24,2 31, Source: SBFI 2016/KW

19 Attractiveness of the VET system - In the 1990s a stagnation of VET furthered new concepts - Dual apprenticeship model was endangered to loose legitimacy due to restricted career options - Amendment for vocational baccalaureate schools Universities of Applied Sciences emerged out of political pressure of stakeholders from higher technical and commercial schools: in order to stay competitive with other countries and other diploma outside Switzerland New Law introducing Universities of Applied Sciences (former Higher Schools for Technical and Commercial Education)

20 5 Types of Federal Vocational Baccalaureats

21 Development of Baccalaureate Types Total % Academic Bac Federal Voc Baccalaureate Specific Bacs BFS 16

22 Higher Education (academic) Total % Universities Universities of Applied Sciences (including Pedagogical HE) BfS

23 Diploma Higher Voc Education PET College diploma Advanced PET Diploma PET Diploma Other Diploma Total SBFI 2015

24 (3) Academic Drift and VET In the last years a diversification of HE has taken place This is the result of rising demand for formally higher qualifications - Aspirations of young people to get a high degree - Demand of firms for higher degrees and more applied and practical knowledge Education Policy and VET have reacted in order to strengthen their own position - keeping system alive - offering new pathways into higher education - inventing new forms of dual apprenticeship - transferring the vocational prinicple to HE

25 Conclusion Vocational education is expansive because of the continuity basically guaranteed by national framework legislation - Expansion quantitatively and qualitatively: new fields, professions and new levels (tertiary education) - Demand for practical knowledge and scientific knowledge leads to hybrid structures Education Policy and VET have reacted in order to strengthen their own position - keeping system alive, although there is an academic drift - offering new pathways into higher education - inventing new forms of dual apprenticeship Ongoing Reform Project VET 2030

26 Further Reading SGBF (Eds.) Swiss Education Report 2010 SBFI (Eds.) Facts & Figures 2017 Gonon, Ph.: Challenges of the Swiss VET System: In Gonon, Ph. (2017). Quality Doubts as a Driver for Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reforms Switzerland s Way to a Highly Regarded Apprenticeship System. In: Pilz, Matthias (Ed.): Vocational Education and Training in Times of Economic Crisis. Dodrecht et al.: Springer, p Zehnder, L. & Gonon, Ph. (2017). Civic and Market Convention as Driving Forces of the Development of Swiss VET. In: Marhuenda-Fluixa, F. (Ed.): Vocational Education beyond Skill Formation Vet between Civic, Industrial and Market Tensions. Berne et al.: Peter Lang, p

27 Thank you for your attention!

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