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Changing Attitudes – How can we ensure apprenticeships
and practical qualifications are respected?
The Sutton Trust-Pearson Higher Ambitions Summit 2014
London 8/9 July, 2014
Dr. Ursula Renold, ETHZ – KOF Swiss Economic Institute, Zurich
«A national system of education is a living thing,
the outcome of forgotten struggles and
difficulties,
and ’of battles long ago’.
It has in it some of the secret workings of
national live.
It reflects, while it seeks to remedy,
the failings of the national character».
Bereday, George Z. F. “Sir Michael Sadler’s ‘Study of Foreign Systems of
Education’.” (Original was published in 1900)
Comparative Education Review 7, no. 3 (February 1, 1964): 307–314., p. 310
ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold
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Testimonial from the United States:
«Vocational Education and Training is a good thing,
but for other people’s children».
(American mantra)
Why?
The facts & figures show that this is hard to believe
from a Swiss point of you!
ETHZ/KOF • Prof. Dr. Ursula Renold
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The Swiss example
• challenges 20 years ago
• Long-term strategy and inter-generation project
• Systematic and systemic approach
• Commitment among involved stakeholders
• research strategy: what works in the ecosystem?
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Outcomes
Apprenticeship contracts 1981-1995
Apprenticeship
«crisis»
Source: Confederation. “Berufsbildungsbericht Schweiz,” 1996, p. 607
Measure:
Introduction of apprenticeship
Barometer (1997)
ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold
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Longterm strategy and inter-generation projects:
Measures after «apprenticeship crises» mid-90s
• Monitoring of apprenticeship market  barometer
• Professional baccalaureate  permeability
(no dead end education)
• Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (UAS)
• Reform of the commercial employee occupation
(biggest reform in Swiss VET system)
• Reform of VPET legislation, new constitutional article
• Integration of 5 field of occupation: health sector, social
work, arts, forestry, agriculture
• Long-term research strategy (e.g. cost-benefit analysis)
ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold
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Offer and demand on the Swiss apprenticeship market
(apprenticeship contracts)
(offer)
ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold
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One mission: Three partners
Commitment among involved stakeholders
Confederation
Strategic management
and development
VET Schools
+ PET Colleges
26 Cantons
Implementation &
supervision
VET qualification
procedures
Professional organisations
Training content
PET qualification procedures
ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold
Companies
VET Apprenticeships &
PET Traineeships
Degree-Mix of Swiss SME companies
VET diploma as highest degree very important!
Share
degree / diploma
Sample
average
Share
Lower*
Compulsory school or
apprenticeship
13143
32.8
Share
Trained*
Share
Advanced*
Federal VET diploma
13143
47.3
Federal PET diploma or
University of Applied
Sciences and Arts degree
13143
14.3
University degree
13143
05.6
Share Acad*
Own calculations; KOF-Innovationspanel 1999-2011
ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold
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A new constitutional article for the Swiss Education Area!
(2006)
Art. 61a Swiss Education Area
1The
Confederation and the Cantons shall, within the scope of their powers,
jointly ensure the high quality and accessibility of the Swiss Education Area.
2They
shall coordinate their efforts and ensure their cooperation through joint
administrative bodies and other measures.
3
They shall ensure in the fulfillment of their duties that general and
vocational courses of study achieve equal recognition in society.
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The unsolved problem in Switzerland: Status of VET!
(Results from a public poll 8.2012; N=2‘800)
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Changing attitudes needs …
• … a lot of time
• … new actions towards a vision, strategy or
long-term goal
• … a long-term commitment of funding agency, VIPs,
people from different generations
• … role models and leadership
• … a world-wide network and/or movement
• … a tension between activists and society, which is
mediated by media
• … and much more…
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Long-term strategy and inter-generation project
Public campaign
commitment of all partners
New legislation ?
Up-scaling and countrywide introduction
Trailblazers – cohort II
Evaluation/Research
Trailblazers – cohort I
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
2023 2024
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