The Swiss IT apprenticeship in a disruptive, global and agile world

Abstract

The Swiss vocational training scheme is highly attractive and provides experienced graduates with practical competencies and a high work ethic to the nation’s labor market. This, among other factors, makes Switzerland the country with the largest share of apprentices globally, but also benefits society and the economy with the second lowest youth unemployment rate. In addition, it drives global competitiveness (Financial Times, 2017). In summary, four challenges and five opportunities were identified and elaborated in the first think thank session (Fig. 3). Challenges include the need for marketing funds to promote the IT apprenticeship scheme, to attract talents to apply for apprenticeship vacancies, to enable access to schools, parents and students; and the value perception of apprenticeships in society. Opportunities, on the other hand, include awareness building and better career selection support, the promotion of apprenticeships as an attractive alternative to undergraduate programs, apprenticeships