Dr. Ursula Renold, ETHZ – KOF Swiss Economic Institute, Zurich

Changing Attitudes – How can we ensure apprenticeships and practical qualifications are respected?

The Sutton Trust-Pearson Higher Ambitions Summit 2014London 8/9 July, 2014

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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

«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».

ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold

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«Vocational Education and Training is a good thing,

but for other people’s children».

(American mantra)

ETHZ/KOF • Prof. Dr. Ursula Renold

The facts & figures show that this is hard to believe

from a Swiss point of you!

Why?

Testimonial from the United States:

The Swiss example

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• 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?

Apprenticeship contracts 1981-1995

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Source: Confederation. “Berufsbildungsbericht Schweiz,” 1996, p. 607

Measure:

Introduction of apprenticeship

Barometer (1997)

Outcomes

ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold

Apprenticeship

«crisis»

Longterm strategy and inter-generation projects:Measures after «apprenticeship crises» mid-90s

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• 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

Offer and demand on the Swiss apprenticeship market

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(offer)(apprenticeship contracts)

ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold

Companies VET Apprenticeships &

PET Traineeships

One mission: Three partnersCommitment among involved stakeholders

VET Schools

+ PET CollegesConfederation

Strategic management and development

26 Cantons

Implementation & supervision

VET qualification procedures

Professional organisations

Training content

PET qualification procedures

ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold

Degree-Mix of Swiss SME companiesVET diploma as highest degree very important!

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Share degree / diploma Sample average

Share Lower*

Compulsory school orapprenticeship

13143 32.8

Share Trained*

Federal VET diploma 13143 47.3

Share Advanced*

Federal PET diploma orUniversity of Applied

Sciences and Arts degree

13143 14.3

Share Acad* University degree 13143 05.6

Own calculations; KOF-Innovationspanel 1999-2011 ETHZ/KOF • Dr. Ursula Renold

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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.

A new constitutional article for the Swiss Education Area!(2006)

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…

Trailblazers – cohort I

Long-term strategy and inter-generation project

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2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Trailblazers – cohort II

Evaluation/Research

Up-scaling and countrywide introduction

New legislation ?

commitment of all partners

Public campaign