2018 and older

A pile of CD cases
SFUVET
19.12.2018: New SNSF project for professional success

How occupational specificity and skill demand influence labor market success

The project is intended to shed light on the reasons why the long-term labour market outcomes of vocational qualification holders differ considerably between training occupations in terms of mobility, income prospects and the risk of precarious employment or unemployment.

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Contact person: Prof. Dr. Irene Kriesi

23.10.2018: Study of intergenerational learning of volunteer caregivers at CHUV

The purpose of this study conducted at the Canton of Vaud University Hospital (Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, CHUV) is to observe the dynamics and conditions of intergenerational learning of volunteer caregivers aged between 20 and 80. This system involves spaces where support can be given, thereby allowing volunteer caregivers to exchange information and learn from one another.

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Contact personne: Dr. Sandrine Cortessis

25.09.2018: Video Pedagogy for improving teaching, learning and professional development

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the EU agency supporting countries surrounding the EU to develop their education, training and labor market systems.

ETF commissioned the SFIVET and the Oulu UAS, to undertake an investigation about video pedagogy in teacher education and vocational education.

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10.09.2018: Article from ‘Le Temps’

In Switzerland, volunteer work usually means spending a few hours working at an institution in parallel to one’s regular job. For some, however, volunteer work is a formative part of one’s identity, as a recent publication by Saskia Weber-Guisan shows.

Article from «Le Temps» (10.09.2018) (in French)

Project page

Contact person: Saskia Weber-Guisan

30.08.2018: Call for Papers - extended deadline 12 September 2018

The end of VET as we know it? Skills development in times of technical and social change. 6th Congress on Research in Vocational Education and Training.

-> Due to many inquiries we will extend the deadline for the call for papers until 12 September 2018.

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11.07.2018: Public Attitudes Towards the Role of the State and the Private Provision of Training: Evidence from the Swiss Apprenticeship System

In addition to financial considerations, social norms also influence the willingness of companies to provide workplace training to learners in dual-track VET programmes. This conclusion was drawn in a new study conducted by researchers at SFIVET and the University of Bern. The study shows that among otherwise comparable companies, the ones more likely to provide workplace training tend to be located in regions where there is a predominantly critical attitude towards greater state intervention in vocational education and training.

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Contact person: Dr. Andreas Kuhn

10.07.2018: Resilience of VET teachers: Final report now published

The research project ‘Resilience of VET teachers. Basis for the development of context-sensitive actions’, conducted by SFIVET researchers between 2012 and 2017, has now concluded with publication of the final report.
The study initially focussed only on the Canton of Ticino before later being expanded to another 5 cantons in the French- and German-speaking regions of Switzerland. A total of 2,163 VET teachers in Switzerland took part in the study.
The results provide an overview of the well-being of VET teachers, identifying both risk and resilience situations, the latter defined as the ability to remain professionally satisfied, involved and competent despite difficulties. The study also highlights the difficulties and resources typically encountered in the work of VET teachers. 
The final research report is available in Italian and German upon request. A summary can be downloaded in Italian and French on the project's site (section Downloads).

Contact person: Dr. Viviana Sappa

20.06.2018: Survey of former social care workers

SAVOIRSOCIAL commissioned SFIVET to carry out a three-part study on the training and career trajectories of people in the social care field. The aim of this is to gain in-depth knowledge of the educational and career paths as well as the current situation of learners and students, employed persons and former social care workers. The now available third part of the study contains the results of a survey of former social care workers, which was conducted between June and November 2017.

Additional information

31.05.2018: Call for Papers - Types of Education, Achievement and Labour Market Integration over the Life Course

Call for papers for volume 7, issue 3 of the interdisciplinary journal “Social Inclusion”.

Editors: Prof. Dr. Irene Kriesi & Prof. Dr. Jürg Schweri, Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training SFIVET.

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24.05.2018: Call for Papers - VET Congress 4 - 6 March 2019

The end of VET as we know it? Skills development in times of technical and social change. 6th Congress on Research in Vocational Education and Training.

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22.04.2018: Nursing practice and digital information and communication devices: training implications and prospects

The rapid spread of digital information and communication devices in our society is also reflected in nursing practice. The aim of this research is to gain a clearer understanding of the impact that these devices have had on the daily activities of nurses. At the same time, it draws attention to the need for relevant updating of initial and continuing education and training.

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22.04.2018: 2018 Update of the European Inventory on the Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning for Switzerland

Working with the European Commission, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) directs and publishes a biannual inventory of European practices in the validation of non-formal and informal learning. SFIVET has received a mandate to carry out the 2018 update of the inventory for Switzerland as was done previously for the 2016 and 2014 inventory updates. The aim is to produce a country report answering a series of questions on five pre-selected topics.

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22.03.2018: International Consultancy for the ‘Creating Job Opportunities for All’ UN-Project in Macedonia

An international consultancy in a project aiming at sustainable skills development and employment in Macedonia was assigned to Marlise Kammermann. The aim of this United Nations Development Programme is to analyse formal and non formal  VET possibilities for vulnerable groups in Macedonia and to establish a model for vocational skills development for these groups. 

Contact person: Marlise Kammermann

more information

20.03.2018: Upskilling made in Switzerland

So far, workers skills have remained on par with increasing demands resulting from digitalisation.

This is the conclusion drawn by Manuel Aepli and Jürg Schweri in a recently published article for the Swiss magazine Panorama.

Official page: panorama.ch

27.02.2018: Contact seminar of the German-language institutes for vocational education and training

The contact seminar of the German-language institutes for vocational education and training will take place on 27 and 28 February 2018 at SFIVET in Zollikofen. After an exchange between Germany, Austria and Switzerland on current developments in the institutions for vocational education and training, the key topics will be “Digitisation / Industry 4.0 / New Media”, as well as “The Demand for Professionals”.

Contact person: Carmen Baumeler

For details see programme (in German)

22.02.2018: Graduate workshop of Leading House GOVPET

The graduate workshop of Leading House GOVPET will take place on 22 and 23 February 2018 at SFIVET in Zollikofen. The theme of the event is “Intermediary associations and firms in collective skill formation systems”.  Cooperation partners are: University of St. Gallen, University of Lausanne, University of Cologne. Among the invitees there are keynote speakers from the Hans Böckler Foundation in Germany, the Kings College in London and SFIVET. The Hertie School of Governance in Berlin is also represented.

Contact person: Carmen Baumeler

15.02.2018: The following books will be published in 2018:
  • Cortessis, S. & Weber Guisan, S. (dir.) (2018). Le bénévolat des jeunes: une forme alternative d’éducation [Young People Volunteering: An Alternative Form of Education]. Zurich: Seismo.
  • Bonoli, L., Berger, J-L., & Lamamra, N. (dir.) (2018): Enjeux de la formation professionnelle en Suisse. Le « modèle » suisse sous la loupe [Stakes of vocational training in Switzerland. The Swiss “model” under scrutiny]. Zurich: Seismo.
  • Engelage, S. (ed.) (2018): Migration und Berufsbildung in der Schweiz [Migration and Vocational Education and Training in Switzerland]. Zurich: Seismo.
14.02.2018: meeting of the Swiss Society for Applied Research in Vocational Education and Training

The next joint meeting of the Swiss Society for Applied Research in Vocational Education and Training and SFIVET with the theme “Situation of Vocational Trainers in Enterprises” will be held in November 2018. The research and development division will present the results of the SNF project on vocational trainers.

Contact person: Carmen Baumeler

13.02.2018: Workshop of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Science

The workshop of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Science with the theme “The Promise of Education - to what Extent and How is it Honoured?” took place in mid-January in Solothurn. A section was dedicated to vocational education and training. The active involvement of SFIVET was recognized. A permanent representation of SFIVET in the “Future Education Switzerland Working Group” has been established.

Contact person: Sonja Engelage