The apprenticeship - a model for success

The dual vocational training programme in companies and vocational schools is regarded as the Swiss model of success par excellence. No other country in Europe has anywhere near as few unemployed young people. Although this is not solely due to apprenticeships, it is still worth sticking to this form of training.

At a vocational training conference in Bern, an American education expert wondered why it takes three years to train a baker in Switzerland. In the USA, three months is enough, he said.* You can tell that from the American bread, you could say to the gentleman just as superficially. The apprenticeship in the company has its origins in the tradition of the guilds. With the perfectionism typical of Switzerland, it has been developed into the well-founded basic training that it has been for decades. At the end of their apprenticeship, bakers can not only bake bread, but also keep accounts and serve customers in English or French.
As the name suggests, dual vocational training is based on two pillars: practical training in the company and theoretical and general education lessons at vocational school. In companies that exist on the market, Swiss apprentices acquire the skills that are in demand in the professional world. Vocational school deepens their professional knowledge and keeps the doors open to further training after their apprenticeship.

In the USA, a baker is trained in three months.

As companies must constantly adapt to technical and economic developments in order to remain profitable, most apprentices are also at the cutting edge when they complete their apprenticeship. Studies also show that they do such a good job during their apprenticeship that their work pays off for the company, i.e. that they achieve more than they cost even as pens. The integrative effect of apprenticeships should not be underestimated either - unlike in some other European countries, many young people with a migration background also complete vocational training in Switzerland.
It is considered certain that dual vocational training is an important reason for the low youth unemployment rate. 3.4 per cent of people between 15 and 24 who are neither in education nor in employment is unique in Europe. Germany and Austria are next in the ranking for low youth unemployment, and they also have a dual vocational training system. Of course, youth unemployment does not only depend on the type of training. Companies and demand are also needed to employ the newly qualified.
Apprenticeships will have to adapt to the changing requirements of the world of work in order to remain successful. As long as companies and young people believe in the model and help to keep it up to date, the signs are good. It would be desirable - and not just so that we can continue to eat good bread.
* Mentioned in an article by Patrik Schellenbauer (Avenir Suisse) in «Schweizer Monat», September 2014. In the USA, a baker is trained in three months.

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