STORY: Vocational training helps Switzerland keep unemployment rate low, says expert
DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:49
LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): Erik Swars, Head of international relations at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)
3. various of the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): Erik Swars, Head of international relations at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)

STORYLINE:

Vocational education and training (VET) contributes to Switzerland's low unemployment rate, Erik Swars, head of international relations at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET), told Xinhua in a recent interview.

According to Swars, high-quality VET combines practice and theory and has a three-fold benefit for society.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ERIK SWARS, Head of international relations at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)
"So first of all, it's a public-private partnership. So a lot of collaboration and money confederation among the 26 cantons, authorities in Switzerland and last but not least, the companies which are responsible for the training content. The second reason why it works is that there is a huge permeability in the system. So VET is fully integrated in the education system, and VET graduates have different career possibilities, so there's no dead end in the system." 
VET has a long history in Switzerland. It started in the 19th century. In 1930, the first federal law on VET was adopted, and since then the system has been continuously improved. 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ERIK SWARS, Head of international relations at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET)
"Actually Vocational Education and Training combines practice and theory. The companies have an important role to play in training. And a high quality of vocational education and training has a three-fold benefit for the society, so it contributes to a low unemployment rate. In Switzerland, for example, currently about 1.9% of the unemployment rate. Secondly, it also has a benefit for the companies. VET provides them with the qualified staff with required competencies. And last but not least, also of course for the students for the learners, they get the required competencies to be able to work on the labor market and also to have various career opportunities."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Geneva, Switzerland.
(XHTV)