2.8% unemployment,
bringing,
education,
Elkhorn,
initiatives,
manufacturing.,
Precision Plus,
programs,
Swiss,
Switzerland,
VET,
Vocational Education and Training,
Wisconsin
Michael Reader
With unemployment rate of 2.8%, the country of Switzerland is coming under increased observation by other industrial countries to discover its secret. The consensus of opinion seems to be that its unique educational system is the most likely answer.
Swiss industries in cooperation with the educational system have devised a program referred to as Vocational Education and Training (VET). The compulsory education for a Swiss child ends at nine years. After this, they have the option of continuing their education in two different tracks. Those children that want a career in academics can continue in the traditional school-based learning track, and those that are seeking a trade or vocation can enter into the VET program. This program is a combination of classroom work and apprenticeship programs. At present over 50% of the youth in Switzerland are choosing this track.
The VET program has the youth in the classroom for 1 to 2 days out of the week with the rest of the work week being spent at the host company of their apprenticeship. The course work at the VET schools is determined by the trade organizations that help run the schools. This keeps the studies in line with the skills that are most needed in the market place. These programs tend to last for 3 to 4 years depending on the field of study. Youth studying in these programs are then awarded a Federal diploma after passing their final exam. The youth that pass this test are also able to go onto a specialized university program in their field. One of the aspects that have been found as most intriguing is the use of other businesses to sign off on the work that the apprentice is doing for the host-company, offering a transparency in the industry as well as a cohesive manner of maintaining the standards for those particular industry apprenticeships.
The current statistics show that around 58,000 companies are providing up to 80,000 apprenticeships. These are presented to the lower secondary schools every year to enable the parents and students to know what is available. The result of the training and expense is that most of the youth can expect to enter into a vocation with a starting salary of $50,000 or more. Although this program is funded by the private sector, the output generated by the apprentices is seen to cover the cost and the end result is a trained labor force with the skills for the jobs that are available and needed.
