VET : Situation of validation of non-formal and informal learning in Switzerland

1. VET : Situation of validation of non-formal and informal learning in Switzerland Swiss Federal Institute in VET Janine Voit, Project Manager Berno Stoffel, Head of R&D Barcelona, 25 January 2007

2. Swiss Federal Institute in VET: Branches in 3 linguistic and cultural regions SFIVET Observal Meeting Barcelona

3. Activities of the SFIVET Teacher education in VET 1000 Teachers and Trainers in 4 different programs MSc in VET Continuous education of teachers in VET 6000 Teachers and Trainers per Year Training for experts of qualification procedures: 8000 per Year Research and development 4 axes: 1. Learning and teaching processes in VET 2. Curricula of VET 3. Systemic aspects of VET 4. Economic aspects of VET Observal Meeting Barcelona

4. Professional baccalaureate General Baccalaureate Fed. Certificate in VET Certificate 2 years 3 or 4 years Vocational education General education Companies, vocational schools, apprenticeships etc.ä. Mandatory schooling Structure of the vocational education system Higher vocational education University level Federal examinations Higher vocational schools Universities of Applied Sciences Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology Tertiary level Secondarylevel II Observal Meeting Barcelona

5. Fostering young people’s professional and labour market skills Vocational education as one element of the entire education system Provide trainings for all levels of aptitude Enables switching between professions and educational pathways Transparency between all professions and branches of education Central tasks ofvocational education Observal Meeting Barcelona

6. Balance between partners in vocational education and institutional level (basic vocational ecucation) Confederation (OPET) Approx. 600 national professional organisations 26 cantons Observal Meeting Barcelona

7. The plan to build up a system of VA • 1. Glossary • 2. National framework • 3. Concept for a teaching program for experts and stakeholders • 4. Quality system • 5. Developping qualification profiles for the different professional fields and the general education • 6. Financing system Observal Meeting Barcelona

8. VET: Process of Validation of non-formal and informal learning in Switzerland Phase 4b: Certification Partial Examination Evaluation by experts Phase 1: Information and advice to candidates At the beginning and throughout the process Certificate of partial achievement Phase 4a: Partial Certification Conditions of achievement Additional training required Qualification profile + conditions of achievement Evaluation report Phase 3: Evaluation Evaluation by experts Phase 2: Report Competences analysis, self-assessment File Qualification profile Observal Meeting Barcelona

9. Challenges for the implementationof the VAE • New law in VET without mentioning specifically VAE • Various levels of experiences and acceptance:West - East and south-nord • Small exchange between the projects • Big number of stakeholders • No common vision • Only one national project: Logistics – Swiss Post Observal Meeting Barcelona

10. Questions – Discussion • Fear of dismantling the VET system • The possibility for people who want to validate their skills depends on the place they’re living • Some professions are more represented in the experiences of validation of non-formal and informal learning (construction, logistics, healthcare, informatics). Observal Meeting Barcelona

11. Observal Meeting Barcelona

12. Other procedures:Number of the Canton Vaud 2005 • Total des CFC délivre 1880 • CFC délivré par le bias de l’art 32 216 (11,5%) • CFC avec art. 32 (ord sur la FP) form formelle • Employé-e de commerce 663 47 • Assistant-e médical-e 19 40 • Informaticien 147 23 • Employé de bureau 37 9 • Source: Canton de Vaud, DFJ Observal Meeting Barcelona