Switzerland has been recognized as the world’s most innovative and competitive economy for over a decade, while also having one of Europe’s lowest youth unemployment rates. This achievement is largely attributed to its exceptional Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) system.

Swiss enterprises are integral to vocational education, offering apprenticeship positions and actively participating in curriculum development, skill training, and assessment. This approach not only boosts students’ employability but also contributes to the country’s economic growth.

In this context, the Swiss VPET roadshows shed light on the companies’ success factors in school-industry partnerships and shared opportunities for future collaboration.

The Sino-Swiss Workshop on VPET and School-Industry Partnership is set to debut at the China Annual Conference for International Education on October 31, 2024. This marks the first time Swiss vocational education will be highlighted at China’s largest international education conference.

Building on a 2-year campaign, the Swiss VPET roadshows have visited key cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, and Dongguan, which are significant hubs for Swiss industry.

Organized by the Science, Technology and Education Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing, in collaboration with the VPET Alliance of Swisscham China, the workshop will convene a diverse group of Swiss institutions and industry representatives.

During the workshop, the Sino-Swiss VPET White Paper 2024 will be launched. This second edition of the White Paper on the Sino-Swiss VPET collaboration goes a step further. Through a series of interviews with Swiss companies active in China, it focuses on the role Swiss VPET plays in companies’ evolving industry demands and upskilling requirements in China. The paper also demonstrates where Swiss companies would like to go further and what obstacles they face.

13:30        Registration

14:00       Opening remarks

• Mr. Jürg Burri, Ambassador of Switzerland to China
• Leadership CEAIE (TBC)

14:10        Launch Ceremony Sino-Swiss VPET White Paper 2024

• Mr. Lucas Rondez, Chairman China Swiss Chamber of Commerce

14:20       Signing Ceremony

14:30       Roadshow 1: Swiss Education Institutions

• Mr. Philippe Roesle, Science and Technology Counsellor, Embassy of Switzerland in China
• Mr. Erik Swars, Head of International Relations, Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (virtual)
• Mr. Juan Perellon, Chief Academic Officer, EHL Hospitality Business School

15:00       Roadshow 2: Swiss Industries

• Mr. Wei Chen, Director of Technical Information & Learning FQE, Schindler China
• Mr. Dongchen Sun, General Manager of Education Ecology BU, Hexagon Greater China Region
• Mrs. Wendy Shi, Head of Education, Industry-Education Integration Business Department, GF Machining Solutions Ltd
• Mr. Bright Shi, WEIDMANN HR Head, China

16:00      Networking

17.00      Wrap-up