Evidence-based and highly practical

Dr. Barbara Fontanellaz
Dr. Barbara Fontanellaz, Director General SFUVET
SFUVET, Ben Zurbriggen

Dear reader,

What will working life be like in the future? What skills will prepare young professionals for the digital transformation? SFIVET has always asked such questions, bridging the gap between professionals and academics. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, these questions have become more pressing than ever. I am proud to say that SFIVET has greatly contributed to young people’s development and thus to society as a whole through its pedagogical training programmes, which are both evidence-based and highly practical.

The Swiss Parliament recognised this contribution in 2020 in their historic decision to adopt the new SFUVET Act without opposition, thus paving the way for SFIVET’s new status as a higher education institution. The SFUVET Act is expected to come into force on the Swiss National Holiday in 2021. On that day, SFIVET will become the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET). I am very pleased that our combined efforts have enabled us to reach this milestone.

Concerted action was also needed to overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. This ordeal has shown that SFIVET is already well equipped for digitalisation. As a case in point, SFIVET offered online courses enabling participants to learn how to use the required tools and acquire the corresponding skills. Vocational school teachers were eager to benefit from SFIVET’s extensive expertise in supporting the digital transformation. The abrupt switch to distance learning and the full-scale rollout of digital technologies posed a special challenge to teachers, but also encouraged innovation. For example, many teachers developed and applied new forms of teaching through distance learning. These approaches can also be used in hybrid formats in the future.

I am therefore confident that we are well prepared for the future and hope that you enjoy reading our 2020 Annual Report.

Dr. Barbara Fontanellaz
SFIVET Director-General