In 2020/21, almost 215 700 students were in vocational education and training. 41% of them were young women and 23% 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.
2000/01 | 2005/06 | 2010/11 | 2015/16 | 2020/21 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 207 969 | 213 174 | 228 717 | 226 828 | 215 710 |
Female (%) | 42.3 | 41.7 | 42.0 | 41.8 | 40.6 |
Foreign (%) | 16.0 | 15.7 | 16.8 | 19.5 | 23.2 |
Federal VET diploma1 | 176 046 | 180 659 | 205 104 | 212 335 | 199 787 |
Female (%) | 37.7 | 38 | 41.4 | 41.6 | 41.0 |
Foreign (%) | 15.5 | 14.5 | 15.5 | 18.1 | 20.8 |
Federal VET certificate | . | 1 335 | 8 343 | 13 215 | 15 061 |
Female (%) | . | 66.1 | 46.6 | 45.0 | 36.5 |
Foreign (%) | . | 35.1 | 36.8 | 40.5 | 54.0 |
VET not governed by the VPETA | 17 965 | 14 989 | 1 896 | 948 | 836 |
Female (%) | 81.3 | 80.5 | 63.1 | 40.6 | 35.4 |
Foreign (%) | 14.2 | 16.1 | 24.2 | 26.1 | 24.0 |
Upper secondary trade and IT schools | 10 082 | 11 225 | 11 051 | . | . |
Female (%) | 56.1 | 49.6 | 47.1 | . | . |
Foreign (%) | 18.2 | 21.9 | 21.3 | . | . |
Basic vocational education | 3 876 | 4 966 | 2 323 | 330 | 26 |
Female (%) | 33.9 | 33.2 | 36.7 | 33.3 | 34.6 |
Foreign (%) | 39.7 | 37.2 | 35.7 | 40.9 | 7.7 |
Data as of: February 2022
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 2000/01, numbers in vocational education and training have risen by 4%. Compared to the previous year, these decreased very slightly (-1%).
The three most popular training sectors chosen by students in 2020/21 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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