Vocational Education and Training (VET)
The Confederation, the Cantons and professional organisations all contribute to maintaining the high standard of vocational education and training and strive to ensure that there is an adequate number of apprenticeship positions available. Vocational education and training (VET) forms the basis for lifelong learning and serves as a gateway to numerous career opportunities.
Vocational education and training
Two-thirds of young people in Switzerland benefit from the solid foundation provided by vocational education and training.
Vocational education and training provides the knowledge and skills needed to work in a specific occupation. Two-year VET programmes lead to the award of a Federal VET Certificate; three-year and four-year VET programmes lead to the award of a Federal VET Diploma. During three-year and four-year VET programmes, learners have the option of attending general education courses to prepare for the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate Examination. Vocational education and training is also open to adults wishing to obtain a vocational qualification.
SERI’s remit
SERI works closely with the Cantons and professional organisations to coordinate vocational education and training, as it does for the VPET system as a whole. SERI is responsible for the following areas:
- Supervising and issuing VET ordinances.
- Regulating the teaching of language, communication and society (LCS) in VET programmes.
- Regulating the teaching of preparatory courses for the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate examination.
- Issuing the core syllabus for the teaching of sports in VET programmes.
- Continued development of VET programmes.