Attractiveness of Vocational Education and Training

Attractive vocational education and training: benefits for individuals, companies and society

Vocational education and training enjoys broad recognition in Switzerland and is widely regarded internationally as a successful model. Nevertheless, there are developments that require our attention. What makes vocational education and training attractive to learners? How can we ensure that vocational education and training continues to be the most frequently chosen educational pathway at Sekundarstufe II in the future? How can we position higher vocational education and training even more effectively? What do companies need in order to provide high-quality training?

Observing key developments

In order to explore these questions, SERI conducted a comprehensive exploratory study in 2025 in coordination with the VET partners as part of the project "Attractiveness of vocational education and training". The results show that vocational education and training is on a solid footing. This is very encouraging. At the same time, there are areas we need to pay attention to:

• In order for vocational education and training to continue to be perceived and chosen as attractive in the future, we must respond more strongly to changing preferences and societal developments. Target-group-specific educational offers as well as further developed educational models can provide the necessary flexibility.
• Companies’ willingness to provide training remains the decisive factor in the dual Swiss vocational education and training system. Without committed training companies, our system loses its foundation. In addition, the quality of company-based education determines how future-proof young people and adults perceive vocational education and training to be.
• We must address high-performing young people in a targeted manner. If they turn away from vocational education and training, practice-oriented professionals and managers will be lacking in companies in the long term, for example successors in SMEs.
• The Swiss labour market is experiencing increasing tertiarisation. Higher vocational education and training is in competition with continuing education offers from universities. The value of the practice-oriented qualifications of higher vocational education and training is not recognised everywhere. Higher vocational education and training must therefore be further strengthened.
• The Swiss education system is strongly shaped by the cantons. Accordingly, the proportions of vocational education and training and general education vary depending on the canton. Individual decisions can significantly alter the balance. Nationally oriented vocational education and training therefore depends on a comprehensive perspective across all levels.

Roadmap "Attractiveness of vocational education and training"

In order to address these challenges effectively, we have developed concrete measures in coordination with the Tripartite VET Conference, which were approved by the national VET summit in November 2025. We are now implementing these measures jointly with the VET partners in the roadmap "Attractiveness of vocational education and training". The roadmap includes measures ranging from promoting companies’ willingness to provide training, optimising the quality of education in training companies, to reviewing existing regulations. In addition, the Vocational Baccalaureate is to become more attractive and practice-oriented in order to secure permeability to the tertiary level. At the same time, digitalisation and AI are to be used to improve data flows, facilitate implementation and promote innovation. In the career choice and career pathway process, equivalence and guidance are to be strengthened, in particular through well-developed career guidance education and data-based information. Higher vocational education and training is to become more visible and better aligned with other offers at tertiary level. Finally, fundamental issues will be examined scientifically.

Moving together towards a common goal

With the roadmap "Attractiveness of vocational education and training", we are jointly setting out to strengthen vocational education and training sustainably and shape it for the future. How effective this joint commitment can be is demonstrated by the recent decisions of Parliament to strengthen higher vocational education and training. The amendment to the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act adopted in the winter session 2025 is the result of a multi-year, broadly supported process. Since 2019, as part of the project "Positioning of Higher Professional Colleges", key foundations for strengthening the entire higher vocational education and training sector have been developed in close cooperation with the VET partners and with the involvement of university stakeholders.

The successful deliberation and adoption of the proposal illustrates what progress is possible when all stakeholders pull together. It is in precisely this spirit that we wish to implement the roadmap: finding viable compromises together and thereby creating a solid basis for the further development of vocational education and training. It is particularly important to me that we keep an eye on the needs of individuals, companies and society equally – so that vocational education and training remains strong, attractive and effective in the future.