Vocational education and training in Switzerland and cantonal differences

In March 2022, a Study Day was held in Zollikofen to mark the end of the “Development of Swiss VET between the federal framework and cantonal autonomy” research project.

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35 people met in Zollikofen for a Study Day exploring the regional and cantonal differences in the Swiss education system. The Study Day was organised to mark the end of the “Development of Swiss VET between the federal framework and cantonal autonomy: “1950 to 1970 – the critical period” research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in which Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Bonoli (HEFP), Prof. Dr. Philipp Gonon (UniZH), Lena Freidorfer (UniZH) and Jackie Vorpe (HEFP) participated.

The event provided an opportunity to present this research project’s main findings, while also giving a platform to other Swiss researchers focusing on this topic, in particular Dr. David Glauser (UniBe), Sandro Stübi (PHZH) and Dr. Raffaella Esposito (FHNW).

The Study Day highlighted the interest in exploring the topic of regional/cantonal differences in Swiss VET which are particularly evident at the moment – for example, the dual-track apprenticeship where participation varies between 21% of young people in Geneva and 84% in Appenzell Innerrhoden.