Vocational qualifications for adults
Adults who have not had the possibility of completing a VET programme may compensate for this gap without having to follow the formal education cycle. The Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA, SR 412.10) provides for several possibilities to recognise or validate prior learning. The options range from regulatory procedures that are structured for groups of occupations, or parts thereof, to special qualification procedures.
Generally speaking, there are four main pathways to obtain a Federal VET Diploma or Federal VET Certificate:
- Validation of prior learning to obtain the qualification directly
- Validation of prior learning to gain direct admission to the final examination
- Recognition of prior learning to reduce the duration of the VET programme
- Attending the full VET programme
Validation of prior learning to obtain the qualification directly
Professional competences may be acquired in various ways. In addition to the standard approach of attending formal, structured training, it is also possible to acquire these professional competences through work experience, work done in the home or family or in one’s leisure time. As a result, adults can also obtain a vocational qualification by validating their work experience and professional competences. At least five years of work experience is required (part of which in the occupation in question). Candidates must also provide credible evidence that they satisfy the requirements for admission to the qualification procedure in question, i.e. that they already have the necessary professional competences.
With the validation procedure, candidates provide evidence of their prior learning and professional competences in a validation file. This file is then assessed by vocational and general education experts to determine whether the candidate possesses the required competences for the vocational qualification in question. If there are any gaps, candidates are usually given five years to attend supplementary training to obtain the missing competences and resubmit the validation dossier for reassessment. If the candidate possesses the competences required for the occupation, the corresponding vocational qualification will be issued.
Validation is only possible is a competence profile has been established for the given occupation and if the VET programme includes rules on alternative qualification procedures. These are developed by professional organisations, recognised by SERI and published in its Official List of Vocational and Professional Qualifications.
Validation of prior learning to gain direct admission to the final examination
Art. 32 of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Ordinance (VPETO) stipulates that adults can take a final examination (i.e. undergo a qualification procedure) even without attending the corresponding VET programme. The prerequisite is several years of employment in the given occupation. If there are gaps in theoretical knowledge, these must be filled by attending vocational and/or general education courses. The VET office of the canton of residence is responsible for granting admission to qualification procedures.
Recognition of prior learning to reduce the duration of vocational education and training Under certain conditions, the duration of the VET programme can be reduced for adults. An apprenticeship contract must be signed with the host company. The duration of the VET programme may be reduced by taking the individual's prior learning into account. In this case, the candidates either have a different vocational or general education qualification or have work experience. The VET office of the canton of residence decides whether to recognise prior learning for the purpose of reducing the duration of a VET programme. There are also situations where the duration of VET programmes in an entire economic branch is specifically reduced for adults.
Attending the full VET programme
Adults can attend a full dual-track VET programme, including in an apprenticeship in a host company, or attend a full school-based VET programme at a trade school. In the case of dual-track VET, they need to find an apprenticeship position and sign an apprenticeship contract with a host company, just like younger learners.
For all four pathways, prior learning can be taken into account. The local cantonal VET office can provide more information.
