How can exchange and mobility in vocational training be promoted? What role do equal opportunities, sustainability and digitalization play in this? These and other questions were the focus of this year's annual event on vocational and adult education. We look back on an event with practical input, diverse perspectives and new food for thought – in line with the motto “Austausch fait bouger”.

The most important takeaways

The opening speech of the event was given by Virginie Borel, the managing director of the Forum for Bilingualism. She explained to the audience the three approaches that the forum promotes for bilingualism: bilingual education (including at vocational schools), the use of digitization in the form of e-tandems, and class meetings with students of different languages.

Prof. Dr. Claudio Schilter, assistant professor at the University of Bern, then introduced us to the idea of equal opportunities as a choice between productivity and fairness. From an economist's point of view, classic discrimination, in which entire groups are excluded, is inefficient because the selection of candidates is narrowed down and therefore “worse” candidates are considered. One possible goal here can be to reduce differences that are perceived as unfair, or to support people with fewer opportunities.

We were also pleased to welcome Rémy Hübschi, Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, to our stage. Training courses follow the needs of the economy and pick up on trends: existing training programs adapt to current challenges, and new training opportunities arise in the context of structural change. Also exciting: the new job profiles that are emerging thanks to digitalization and sustainable change, such as solar installer.

Andreas Klausing, a member of the educa management team, then explained how digitalization is linked to mobility and exchanges in vocational education. A digital identity is essential to ensure that educational qualifications can be verified and that everyone can decide for themselves who can see them.

We were also able to welcome Klára Sokol, Director of éducation21, to the stage as an expert in the field of sustainable development in education. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) teaches the skills needed to act responsibly. This includes very similar transversal skills, which are also strengthened by exchange and mobility.

And last but not least, Prof. Dr. Lukas Graf, Director of the Swiss Centre for Vocational Education and Training Research, spoke about barriers and obstacles to mobility. By overcoming various structural barriers, we can promote exchange and mobility. Among other things, we can build on the interdisciplinary skills in the curricula and a strong tradition of cooperation in vocational education and training.

Director Olivier Tschopp gave the closing address, in which he announced that, under the motto Exchange makes things happen, the VPET system will continue to move forward together, towards a sustainable, equitable and digital future.