Launch of Swiss Observatory for Vocational Education and Training

With the launch of OBS SFIVET, SFIVET seeks to satisfy a recognised need of practitioners: training content must be continuously adapted in order to respond to rapidly changing labour and working conditions. The aim of OBS SFIVET is to provide innovative input for anticipatory and efficient management of the Swiss VPET system.

In September, OBS SFIVET will release an initial trend report on apprenticeship contract terminations. At the same time, it will hold a national symposium on "Apprenticeship terminations: costs, trends and opportunities". This event will take place in Bern on 9 September 2016.

OBS SFIVET activities are intended for professional organisations, government offices, education institutions and host companies. They are based on SFIVET's research experience and its close ties with practitioners.

The team at OBS SFIVET pursues a two-pronged approach: the first is to carry out trends analyses to enable assessment of the current situation of specific occupations and the weighing of possible action steps. This will require intensive dialogue with political stakeholders and practitioners. The second is to carry out targeted projects to devise concrete measures that the Confederation, the cantons and professional organisations can take to further develop the VPET system and keep training content up-to-date.

OBS SFIVET focuses on three key issues, which are crucial factors ensuring the success of the Swiss VPET system:

• Training progression: how do things stand in terms of the key success indicators for learners enrolled in VET programmes?

• Demand for skilled workers and competences: how can the Swiss VPET system help to satisfy the future labour force needs of various economic branches?

• Costs and benefits of apprenticeship training: is apprenticeship training worth the effort for host companies, learners and society?

High-level representatives of professional organisations, education institutions as well as cantonal and federal government bodies all hold seats on OBS SFIVET's permanent consultative committee to ensure that it remains focussed on practical realities and future trends.

SFIVET is Switzerland's expert organisation for vocational education and training. It provides basic and continuing training to VET professionals, conducts VET research, contributes to the development and continuous updating of training plans for specific occupations and supports international cooperation in vocational education and training. It has training locations in Lausanne, Lugano, Olten, Zollikofen near Bern and Zurich.

www.sfivet.swiss
www.sfivet.swiss/obs
www.sfivet.swiss/advisory-board

Contact for queries:

Jacques Andres, Head of Communication at SFIVET, 058 458 27 12, @email