The Two-Year Apprenticeship and Occupational Development in Switzerland - A Success Story Between Inclusion and Labour Market Orientation?

Context: The introduction of the Federal Vocational Certificate (Eidgenössisches Berufsattest, EBA) as part of the vocational education and training (VET) reform in Switzerland in the early 2000s aimed to support the national education policy goal that 95% of all 25-year-olds should obtain an upper secondary-level qualification. This two-year VET program was designed for individuals with low academic achievement who previously had limited access to formal vocational training. While the EBA facilitates labour market integration for disadvantaged youth, research on the creation and adaptation of EBA occupations remains scarce. This study addresses this gap by investigating how EBA occupations have evolved since their introduction in 2004 and the extent to which they meet labour market and societal needs.

Approach: The study employs a mixed-methods approach. First, an analysis of statistical data from the Federal Statistical Office and documents from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation examines the evolution of EBA occupations over the past two decades. Second, case studies are conducted based on expert interviews with professional organisations responsible for developing VET programs. The interviews cover historical and economic aspects of new occupational profiles, social integration considerations, and collaboration dynamics between stakeholders, including federal and cantonal authorities.

Findings: Since 2004, 60 new EBA occupations have been introduced across various sectors, particularly in health, retail, logistics, and hospitality. The EBA program has successfully provided low-threshold access to vocational qualifications for young people with weaker academic backgrounds, particularly those with a migration history. However, employment rates and wages for EBA graduates remain lower than those for individuals with a Federal VET Diploma (Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis, EFZ). The creation of new EBA occupations is primarily driven by employer demand for skilled labour rather than social integration objectives. The two case studies - system catering practitioners and two-wheeler assistant - illustrate that professional organisations initiate EBA programs mainly in response to labour shortages rather than educational inclusivity goals.

Conclusions: While the EBA has become an established entry point into the labour market, the goal of significantly increasing upper secondary-level qualification rates in Switzerland has not been met. The findings suggest that technological changes or social inclusion alone is not a sufficient driver for the creation of new EBA occupations; economic necessity remains the key motivator. The Swiss VET system must balance economic interests with social inclusion by ensuring that EBA programs provide viable career pathways and further training opportunities. Future research should explore additional occupational fields and long-term career trajectories of EBA graduates to enhance the system’s effectiveness.