In 2021/22, almost 215 600 students were in vocational education and training. 41% of them were young women and 24% were of foreign nationality. Almost all students in vocational education and training were following a programme leading to a Federal VET Diploma (almost 93%). The remainder chose a VET Certificate or uncertified apprenticeship course (7%) or another vocational course.
2005/06 | 2010/11 | 2015/16 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 213 174 | 228 717 | 226 822 | 215 651 | 215 581 |
Female (%) | 41.7 | 42.0 | 41.8 | 40.6 | 40.7 |
Foreign (%) | 15.7 | 16.8 | 19.5 | 23.2 | 23.7 |
Federal VET diploma1 | 180 659 | 205 104 | 212 329 | 199 730 | 199 950 |
Female (%) | 38.0 | 41.4 | 41.6 | 41.0 | 40.9 |
Foreign (%) | 14.5 | 15.5 | 18.2 | 20.8 | 21.5 |
Federal VET certificate | 1 335 | 8 343 | 13 215 | 15 059 | 14797 |
Female (%) | 66.1 | 46.6 | 45.0 | 36.5 | 37.0 |
Foreign (%) | 35.1 | 36.8 | 40.7 | 54.1 | 53.3 |
VET not governed by the VPETA | 14 989 | 1 896 | 948 | 836 | 813 |
Female (%) | 80.5 | 63.1 | 40.6 | 35.3 | 41.7 |
Foreign (%) | 16.1 | 24.4 | 26.1 | 24.2 | 26.3 |
Upper secondary trade and IT schools | 11 225 | 11 051 | . | . | . |
Female (%) | 49.6 | 47.1 | . | . | . |
Foreign (%) | 21.9 | 21.3 | . | . | . |
Basic vocational education | 4 966 | 2 323 | 330 | 26 | 21 |
Female (%) | 33.2 | 36.7 | 33.3 | 34.6 | 38.1 |
Foreign (%) | 37.2 | 35.7 | 40.9 | 7.7 | 19.0 |
Data as of: February 2023
Vocational education and training mainly occurs in dual mode, i.e. in-company training along with training at a vocational school, providing both theory and the necessary general education. This is completed by inter-company courses which form the crossroads between the two areas of learning. Vocational education and training can also take place in full-time school in a small number of cases. Vocational education and training is completed with the Federal VET Certificate after two years or the Federal VET Diploma after three to four years.
Since 2005/06, numbers in vocational education and training have risen by 1%. Compared to the previous year, these remained stable (increase of 0.1%).
The three most popular training sectors chosen by students in 2021/22 were: Business and administration (17%), Wholesale and retail sales (11%) and Building and civil engineering (7%). Some sectors are clearly gender-dominated.
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