Willingness of Swiss companies to provide apprenticeship training remains strong 

5/1/2012 

According to the Business Census conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the participation level of Swiss companies in dual-track VET programmes has gradually increased since 1995. Following an in-depth analysis of available data up to 2008, SFIVET has determined that participation levels have increased mainly in the following branches: education, health and social care as well as hotels, restaurants and catering (HORECA). In contrast, participation levels have decreased in the following branches: banking and insurance as well as corporate services.

Commissioned by the FSO, the present report provides an overview of participation levels of all Swiss companies for the period 1985-2008 along with an analysis of external factors (e.g. demographics, economic situation) and company characteristics that have influenced participation levels.
Key findings:

• The proportion of new enrolments in VET programmes for each cohort has remained fairly constant since 1995. In absolute figures, the number of new enrolments in VET programmes has increased since 1995 (between 2005 and 2008: approx. +10%), with only minor exceptions. The number of young people also increased in absolute terms over this same period.
• Generally speaking, the willingness of companies to provide apprenticeship training is positively influenced by such factors as a good economic situation, a larger number of pupils coming out of lower-secondary education in a given region, lower enrolment levels at baccalaureate schools and a lesser presence of similar companies in the region.
• The willingness of companies to provide apprenticeship training also increases in direct proportion to company size; and yet, around 70% of learners enrolled in VET programmes do their apprenticeships in micro- and small-sized enterprises (with fewer than 50 employees).
• Regional differences in willingness are mainly the result of external factors (e.g. demographics, economic situation) and different regional economic structures (size structure, branches present).

The report also reveals that participation levels within a given branch may vary over time. It also shows the extent to which available apprenticeships depend on company demographics and the fact that companies do not always maintain their commitment to provide apprenticeship training.

Barbara Müller & Jürg Schweri

The report is available in German only with a summary in French.