1. Solid VET – Secure future Peter Theilkäs Deputy Director Viscom EGIN Autumn Seminar 2011 Berne, Switzerland

2. VPET in Switzerland: Facts & Figures The Swiss Graphic Industry Education in the Graphic Industry Steps and instruments to attract youngsters Conclusions Outline 1

3. Swiss Educational System 121000 64000 50000 225000 94000 Lerners & Students 2008/09

4. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 4 Key pillars of dual VET Partnership between Confederation – Cantons – Professional organisations Cooperation between Host companies – VET schools – Industry training centres Instruments to attract youngsters

5. Funding, innovation Professional and labour market skills in national and international terms Confederation Cantons Associations Determining learning content & competencies Planning & implementation Apprentices in gainful employment Quality standards & indicators Legal regulations & framework curricula Steering instruments Partnership Partnership in the VPET system

6. The success of VET/PET Dual-track: connecting theory to practice 6 practice host company 4 or 3 days per week theory vocational school 1 or 2 day(s) per week Federal VET Certificate (2 years) or Federal VET Diploma (3 or 4 years) Federal VET Certificate (2 years) or Federal VET Diploma (3 or 4 years)

7. How to engage companies? Average net benefit of training activity for firms with apprenticeship training in EUR 3-year apprenticeship 4-year apprenticeship Gross costs5940083200 Productive contribution6830084740 Net benefit for company89001540 7 Source: Mühlemann et al. 2007 Taking on an apprentice is a medium-term investment and not a short-term decision, especially in view of demographic trends!

8. VPET in Switzerland: Facts & Figures The Swiss Graphic Industry Education in the Graphic Industry Steps and instruments to attract youngsters Conclusions Outline 2

9. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 9 Swiss Graphic Industry facts and figures around 24,000 jobs around 1,950 companies around 2,000 apprenticeships around CHF 600 million in exports around CHF 500 million in annual investment around CHF 6.2 billion annual turnover

10. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 10 Portrait of Viscom Leading employers association in the Graphic industry representing about 700 graphic design companies Collective agreement (valid until 2012) VET / FPET / FAPET / PC / TUL Innovation, Management, Environment 9 Sections in all three 3 linguistic regions 3 Divisions (Prepress, Print, Postpress)

11. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 11 Print media Other Publishing houses Electronic media Graphic design universe Visual communication Finishing Press Pre Press Digital printing Commercials TV Internet Multimedia Creative ideas Reprographics Book binding companies Magazines Newspapers Books Decorating Photography Photography retailers Design Software companies Audiovisuals Audio Data processing Package printing Advertising Design Bookshops

12. VPET in Switzerland: Facts & Figures The Swiss Graphic Industry Education in the Graphic Industry Steps and instruments to attract youngsters Conclusions Outline 3

13. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 13 A couple VET figures The 3-Learning-Places-System Structure of education in the graphic design branch and in the Printing Industry Movement of VET students over the past 10 years

14. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 14 VET system based on three training locations VET school (core curriculum) Host company (Model VET programme) Industry training centre (Intercompany Courses) VET ordinance + training plan

15. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 15 Occupational fields relating to visual communication Prepress (DTP) Printing technology PostPress (Bookbinding) Media design Media production Screen printing Reprographics Sheet-fed printing Reel-fed printing Binding technology Bookbinding Dispatching Printing equipment Sheet-fed printing Reel-fed printing Screen printing Advertising design Packing/packaging Processing Print media assistance

16. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 16 Federal PET Diploma in Printing Flow Management 2-year programme Professional College Degree in Print Engineering 3-year part-time programme Federal VET Diploma in desktop publishing 4-year programme - Media design - Media production Federal VET Diploma In printing technology 4-year programme - Screen printing - Reprographics - Sheet-fed printing - Reel-fed printing Federal VET Diploma in print media processing 4-year programme - Binding technology - Bookbinding - Dispatching technology - Printing equipment (3) Compulsory education / Aptitude test / Pre-apprenticeship Federal PET Diploma in Print and Web Publishing Federal PET Diploma in in Typographic Design Federal PET Diploma in Proofreading 2-year programme UAS Bachelors Degree in Media Engineering 3-year full-time programme Specialisation media management or IT management Advanced Federal PET Diploma in Publication Management 1-year programme Builds from Federal PET Diploma, Emphasis on strategic planning Federal PET Diploma in Printing and Packaging Technology 1½-year programme Federal PET Diploma in Print Media Processing - Trade - Industry 1½-year programme Careers in Graphic design branch VET qualifications FPET Advanced Federal PET Diploma in Management 1½ - 2 year programme (pending) AFPET PC UAS FVB Print media assistance Federal VET Certificate (pending)

17. Annual number of apprenticeship contracts signed since 1998

18. Movement Prepress since 1980

19. Movement Printing since 1980

20. Movement Postpress (Bookbinding) since 1989 | Keine Aufzeichnung über die zweijährige Grundbildung Druckausrüster 1992-2005 |

21. VPET in Switzerland: Facts & Figures The Swiss Graphic Industry VET in the Graphic Industry Steps and instruments to attract youngsters Conclusions Outline 4

22. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 22 Actions for attracting new apprenticies Steps in the recruiting phase Aptitude test Pre-apprenticeship programme DVD Print & Digital Company week project Visits to trade fairs, schools and information events

23. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 23 Choosing an occupation… Berufswahlprozess Informationgathering AptitudetestPre-apprenticeshipFindapprenticeship Desires Interests Skills Schools Events Trade fairs Information sheets Counselling Requirements Initial meeting Suited or not suited Company gives its assessment Candidate makes his/her decision Cantonal and regional lists of available apprenticeship positions Internet: viscom.ch berufsberatung.ch Initial selection Academic knowledge Online registration Fees: CHF 100.– Certificate FailedUnsuited or no longer interested Alternatives within the same branch!

24. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 24 Importance and purpose of aptitude test Aptitude tests check only academic skills Other means are used to test social and practical skills Failing the aptitude test does not constitute grounds for discarding the student

25. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 25 Assessment of aptitude test

26. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 26 Pre-apprenticeship programme Berufswahlprozess Trial days working as an apprentice ideal 3–5 days in the company Experience working as part of a team Cooperation and daily routine Specific experience in the host company Handling Personal decision For or against the occupation Final phase of application process

27. VPET in Switzerland: Facts & Figures The Swiss Graphic Industry Education in the Graphic Industry Steps and instruments to attract youngsters Conclusions Outline 5

28. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 28 What should the future look like? Learning by doing or Americanisation of VET? Greater emphasis on classroom activities and academic subjects that do not relate specifically to occupational skills or raising minimum age for admission to VET programmes? Validation of prior learning? Or status quo?

29. Swiss Vocational Education and Training (VET) – Backbone of the Swiss Economy Broad recognition and important pillar of Swiss economy 70% enrolment Low unemployment rates High standard good transition into labour market Decisive role of economy Driven by market demand: focus on private sector need Apprenticeship-based system: 2 out of 3 young people Qualification possibilities for all Integration, permeability & flexibility Attractive: Higher professional skills and career options Benefit for private sector and host companies Positive cost vs benefit account

30. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationSeite 30

31. Viscom – Swiss Association for Visual CommunicationPage 31