First International VPET Congress: "Vocational and professional education and training promotes innovation, a pleasant working environment and a good corporate image"

16.09.14

In his speech given on Tuesday morning in Winterthur to open Switzerland's first international congress on vocational and professional education and training (VPET), Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann welcomed a series of prominent speakers. These included Dr Jill Biden, education expert and wife of US Vice President Joe Biden, and Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Following Mr Schneider-Ammann's speech, Stefan Wolter, professor of economics at the University of Bern and chairman of the OECD's Group of National Experts on Vocational Education and Training, and Valentin Vogt, President of the Swiss Employer's Association (SAV), also addressed the congress audience.

"It is no coincidence that the Confederation has co-sponsored this congress", begins Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann: "Promoting vocational and professional education and training is high up on my political agenda, nationally and internationally. It is a goal to which I have always been fully committed." Schneider-Ammann also mentioned that the current year has been devoted to the Swiss VPET system. Ten years ago, the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act was revised: at the time, the Confederation, the cantons and social partners expressed their resolve to work together on VPET. The education system was made more permeable, new courses were introduced and clear responsibilities for funding were established. However, our work is not yet finished, stressed Schneider-Ammann: "In the next few years, the aim is consolidation. This also includes strengthening and positioning the Swiss VPET system internationally." These steps are important given the globalisation of work and society. Mr Schneider-Ammann mentioned four strategic objectives: 1. Open the VPET system to the rest of the world and improve the international competences of individuals, 2. Achieve international recognition of and demand for Swiss expertise in the area of vocational and professional education and training, 3. Achieve international recognition of Swiss VET and PET qualifications and 4. Ensure the quality of Swiss VET and PET at the international level. The first international VPET Congress and the associated dialogue with other countries helps to reinforce international cooperation in this field. Mr Schneider-Ammann, who heads the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), also mentioned that the participants would visit the SwissSkills competition in Bern at the end of the three-day congress, "which would help the world become a bit more familiar with the strengths of Swiss dual-track VET."

"The training pathway should not be chosen on the basis of parents’ concerns about status"

Stefan Wolter is a heavyweight in international education circles. Professor of Economics at the University of Bern and chairman of the OECD's Group of National Experts on Vocational Education and Training, Mr Wolter stressed how important it is to further develop the Swiss VPET system. "Young people should be able to choose their training pathway according to their own aptitudes and skills and less in terms of parents’ and teachers’ concerns about status." A key element in the success of the Swiss VPET system is the fact that it is an integral part of the education system as a whole and that there are no dead-end qualifications, which unfortunately tends to be the case in many other countries. "The high-quality training that young people receive in VPET programmes is also important in that in enables Switzerland to maintain excellent world-class academic institutions", explains Mr Wolter.

Valentin Vogt, President of the Swiss Employer's Association, noted that young professionals with a vocational training are particular self-assured and competent, capable of tackling difficult tasks independently and constructively and approaching problems from different angles. They are also prepared to develop both professionally and personally. VPET also has a positive effect on training companies, improving the working atmosphere and learning and innovation culture and creating a good image for firms as employers. Himself the head of a large company, Vogt stressed his concern about the lack of qualified and motivated staff, a concern which is the “constant companion of all employers”. In a few years’ time we will no longer experience a growth in the number of people of working age; the number is likely to stagnate and even shrink, not to mention the effects of the mass immigration initiative adopted in a vote by the Swiss people on 9 February of this year, which will restrict access to qualified workers, in particular in the technical professions and IT, management, healthcare, and the administrative, financial and legal fields. This increases the importance of professional education and training, explained Vogt, as he praised the government’s latest measures to promote PET, for example by providing financial breaks for students. “Vocational and professional education and training also creates a buffer against youth unemployment and encourages the integration of foreigners. It is therefore an important factor in our society and a huge contributor to our economy.”

Former “Tagesschau” newsreader Beatrice Müller will be chairing the event, which started today and will continue until Thursday.