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Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Switzerland (RATIFICATION: 1977)

Article 2 of the Convention. Vocational guidance and training. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the results achieved through the measures adopted with a view to promoting youth employment. The Government indicates that, in collaboration with the vocational training services, special measures have been taken to respond to the needs of unemployed young persons. Consequently, some cantons, such as Geneva and Lucerne, have support centres specifically intended for young persons; and assistance programmes for the labour market integration of young persons have been initiated with the financial support of private enterprises. The Committee notes that the unemployment rate among young persons aged from 15 to 24 years in Switzerland is falling. It also notes that, for ten years, the Government has been conducting a vast study of youth unemployment trends and the various aspects of this issue. The Government indicates that the dual training system (institutional training supplemented by practical apprenticeships) has become less attractive to young persons (aged 15 to 19 years) and that, despite the large number of vacant apprenticeship posts, some unemployed young persons do not have the profile or the level of training required by the enterprises to take them up. The Committee notes that, in September 2017, there were 11,000 vacant apprenticeships, while some 5,000 young persons of the right age to begin an apprenticeship (15 to 19 years of age) were registered as unemployed. The Committee also notes that this is not a recent phenomenon and that the number of apprenticeships remaining vacant has doubled in recent years. In this regard, the Government indicates that individual support measures have been implemented at the cantonal level and a budget of 35 million Swiss francs (CHF) has been allocated for the implementation of measures designed to promote the labour market integration of unemployed young persons. The Committee notes that, in conformity with article 48 of the Federal Constitution, an intercantonal agreement to harmonize the legislation of the 26 cantons in the area of study grants (the study grants agreement) came into force on 1 March 2013 and has already been ratified by 19 cantons. It also notes that the Government is continuing to hold consultations with the social partners through various tripartite committees, particularly the Supervisory Committee for Unemployment Insurance Compensation Funds and the Tripartite Committee of the Confederation. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed information, including updated statistics, disaggregated by age, sex and canton, on the impact of the measures taken to respond to the employment needs of young persons. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the coordination of vocational education and training policies with employment policies, and particularly on the manner in which the qualifications offered are coordinated with the knowledge and skills required by and the changing needs of the labour market.

Article 3. Vocational guidance. The Government indicates that the Swiss Centre for Vocational, University and Career Guidance and Training Services (CSFO) operates under the auspices of the State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovation (SEFRI) for the provision of specific services of public interest and carry out development projects for vocational training and quality assurance within the meaning of sections 54 and 55 of the Federal Act on Vocational Training (LFPr, RS 412.10). The Government adds that the “Formationprofessionnelleplus.ch” (vocational training plus) website is a joint initiative of the Confederation, the cantons and labour organizations, implemented under the auspices of the Federal Office for Vocational Training and Technology (OFFT) in order to promote vocational training in Switzerland. The initiative undertakes action to showcase the advantages of vocational training and organizes information and awareness-raising campaigns. The Committee notes that the higher vocational training system has undergone significant developments and has had to face several challenges. It also notes that the State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovation has adopted several measures with a view to strengthening higher vocational training and improving its recognition at the national and international levels. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the activities carried out to formulate comprehensive and coordinated vocational guidance and training policies and programmes, particularly indicating the manner in which effective coordination is ensured between the vocational training system and the needs of the labour market.

Article 4. Lifelong vocational education and training. The Committee notes with interest the entry into force in January 2017 of the Act on continuous training (LFCo, RS 419.1), which offers a genuine legal basis for the financial support of organizations at the national level in the area of continuous training (section 12) and the promotion of the acquisition and updating of basic skills by adults (section 13). The Committee also notes that, for the period 2017–20, the Swiss Parliament has earmarked CHF25.7 million for continuous training, amounting to CHF6.4 million per year. The Government indicates that the implementation of the initiative to combat the shortage of skilled personnel and promote the optimal integration of unemployed persons comprised two successive phases. The first phase (2011–15) focused on the implementation of measures, and the second phase on continuing and evaluating the implementation of the agreed objectives. The Committee notes that, at the macroeconomic level, the utilization of the labour force present on the Swiss market has improved. Indeed, between 2010 and 2017, over 132,000 workers, including women and older workers, entered the labour market. Furthermore, the framework conditions facilitating the balance between work and family life have been improved and the number of childcare places outside the family has doubled, providing 57,400 extra places. The Committee also notes that, within the framework of the development of education and training programmes that respond to the needs of the labour market, an increase in the number of qualifications obtained has been recorded at the national level, particularly in the health field. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the impact of the continuous training measures taken to facilitate the acquisition and updating of basic skills by socially vulnerable jobseekers, particularly persons with disabilities. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which coordination is ensured between the initiatives to combat the shortage of skilled personnel and the changing needs of the labour market.