Professional Career with a Future, Switzerland Basel Basic Vocational Education and Vocational Schools

Abstract

Basic vocational education and training (vocational apprenticeship) follow on from compulsory schooling. Most young people in Switzerland start their careers with basic vocational training. Basic vocational training is the advantage is the combination of professional practice and school lessons (dual system). There are more than 250 apprenticeships in Switzerland with different profiles and requirements. The advantage of the Swiss system of basic vocational education and training lies in the close link between professional practice and school teaching: the young people work in their training company and usually attend a vocational school one or two days a week. Basic vocational training leads to the Federal Vocational Certificate (EBA) in two years and to the Federal Certificate of Proficiency (EFZ) in three or four years. After the professional certificate, the certificate of proficiency can be obtained - even vocational training time is shortened depending on your performance. The cantonal apprenticeship supervisory authority ensures that the federal legal regulations are complied with in vocational training. It issues training permits to companies, conducts training courses for vocational trainers, and ensures that the apprenticeship contracts that must be approved by it are complied with. An up-to-date overview of the selection of apprenticeships can be found on the official Swiss information portal www.berufsberatung.ch. The Career, Study, and Career Counselling Centre advises and informs young people and adults free of charge on all matters relating to career and study choices as well as career planning. You can find detailed information on the web at www.biz.bs.ch.