Innovation Transfer in Vocational and Educational Training (VET) System Switzerland

Trends such as technological and digital change or globalisation are leading to an increasing dynamism in Swiss working environments (SBFI, 2017). The VET system needs to assess the significance of these developments for basic vocational training. Moreover, it constantly needs to integrate the recently identified requirements into the vocational training of learners in all three learning sites of the Swiss VET system (vocational schools, workplace and intercompany training centres). Studies show the institutionalized five-year revisions of education ordinances in Switzerland to be lagging behind the high level of innovation in the economy. For that reason, this project analyses the strategies vocational school teachers have in evaluating and integrating innovation of the industry into their teaching.  Based on a qualitative survey procedure with twelve VET teachers, the analysis shows that they use both formal and informal strategies while planning and implementing new developments into their lessons. The interviewed VET teachers mentioned for example the curriculum, literature or further education courses as formal strategies to get known about the latest developments in the field. Furthermore, informal strategies as personal contacts to the field, exchange of experience between colleagues and trainees or company visits play a particularly important role. One explanation of strategies are different teachers’ motives, which are described in the conclusion.