Objectifs
In the 21st century, workers have to be versatile and to understand the whole production process, not just particular machines. They have to be both creative and efficient. Their skills have to be more than product-related, they entail the mastery of complex technologies. It is in this context that the goals of our vocational system have to be seen. We try to attain these goals by means of three strategies: enhancing the apprenticeship system, preventing exclusion and adapting our vocational system to the needs of the economy.
Routes into an Occupation Depending on personal abilities, a vocational qualification can be acquired at different levels:
- basic training provides the skills and knowledge needed to exercise an occupation
- continuing education enables people in employment to adapt their knowledge to technological and economic developments
- higher vocational courses lead to a vocational diploma at university level
Listening to the Economy New occupations appear every day! Vocational qualifications change all the time because they have to be adapted to technological progress and socio-economic developments. It is the task of the cantonal government to anticipate these changes in order to be able to offer education and training geared to the future needs of the economy. Thus vocational education and training can only be planned in partnership with businesses and employers' associations.
Service for Vocational Training The Service for Vocational Training is responsible for basic training and further education. In particular, it facilitates the collaboration between apprentices and their employers by being there at key moments of apprenticeships:
- when an employer is given permission to train apprentices
- when apprenticeship contracts are approved
- when visiting apprentices at work
- when mediating in cases of dispute
- when organising the final apprenticeship exams
- at the diploma ceremony
The Service for Vocational Training is also in charge of financing vocational training and further education and monitors the quality of teaching at vocational colleges.
Higher Vocational Qualifications With the University of Applied Sciences in Fribourg (HES-SO//FR), the canton boasts an institution that offers the holders of a vocational college diploma (maturité professionnelle/Berufsmaturität) or an apprenticeship diploma the possibility of enrolling in vocational courses at university level. The University of Applied Sciences aims to produce all-rounders with practical experience.