Slovakia’s high youth unemployment threatens to be a drain on society for many years to come. Through its enlargement contribution, Switzerland is committed to helping Slovakia establish a dual vocational education and training system.
Slovakia: A recipe for reducing unemployment
Better gearing vocational education and training (VET) to labour market requirements and providing young people with an education that combines theory and practice should help reduce in the medium term Slovakia’s high youth unemployment rate, which currently stands at around 30%. With assistance from the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocation Education and Training (SFIVET), new training courses were designed for several occupations. Together with vocational schools, businesses and professional organisations from the fields of chemistry, construction, electrical engineering, the food industry and the hospitality and catering industry, an agreement was reached on practice-based learning plans. In 10 vocational schools, several hundred students have already completed part of their education in a public-sector or private firm. Swiss experiences have helped to shape Slovakia's VET act of April 2015, which establishes the dual vocational education and training model as the new standard. At the same time, a nationwide publicity campaign aims to make VET more attractive.
SDC project: Reform of the Slovakian vocational education and training system
Switzerland’s enlargement contribution, which is not part of its official development assistance, supports projects in the 13 countries that have joined the European Union (EU) since 2004. It is an expression of solidarity and commitment on the part of Switzerland to helping reduce the economic and social disparities in an enlarged EU.
