Swiss American Historical Society Review
Keywords
Vocational Education and Training, apprenticeship, Swiss Economy
Abstract
Switzerland is globally renowned for its mountains, banks and chocolate, in addition to the quality of its education system, flourishing economy, and low unemployment rate (around 2.5% in 20241). At the heart of this efficient and inclusive economic model is the dual Vocational Education and Training (VET) system, allowing direct entry into the job market. Nearly two-thirds of Swiss youth aged 15 to 18 choose the apprenticeship path, either through dual training in companies or in full-time vocational schools. These apprentices are vital to the Swiss economy and are ubiquitous across various sectors. Beyond Switzerland, this system is celebrated as part of the “Gold Standard” of VET in the DACH region—Germany (D), Austria (A), and Switzerland (CH)—for its excellence and impact on economic resilience. In contrast, in most Western countries such as the United States, VET (or better called “apprenticeship”) does not follow either a “school-based” or a dual model but rather a “market model,” where training is shaped predominantly by market demands and employer initiatives.
Recommended Citation
Vorpe, Dr. Jackie
(2025)
"Bridging History and Policy: A Comparative Study of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the U.S. and Switzerland,"
Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 61:
No.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol61/iss1/7
