Frederic Berthoud. “There is no ‘penalty’ for choosing an apprenticeship.”

LE FIGARO. – What is the state of apprenticeship in Switzerland?

Frederic Berthoud. – With us, apprenticeship is a real alternative to the general stream. At the end of compulsory education, at the age of 15-16, two-thirds of young people choose an apprenticeship. Others go to a “gymnasium” (public high school) which leads to university academic streams.

Students prepare to obtain a federal certificate of competence at a level of competence equivalent to French professional certificates. There are 245 in all fields, from electrician to dancer, including IT, health, social, administration. But our Swiss system offers complete transparency between training and the overall route. A chef can practice medicine if he receives the equivalent of a professional bachelor’s degree and prepares for an additional exam. There is no “penalty” for choosing to learn.

The philosophy and the policies implemented are very different from France

Frederic Berthoud

Our system also provides an opportunity to improve in the field of professional training. Few…