Keep It Up Switzerland! Four Empirical Studies on Dual Vocational Education and Training

ABSTRACT This thesis adds empirical evidence to the growing literature on dual VET using Switzerland as a case study. The first chapter examines lower-secondary education students’ occupational choices upon entering dual VET. I show that it is possible to provide those students with low-cost personalised information that expands the set of occupations they consider. The second chapter examines whether having done dual VET as a first career step is beneficial for higher education graduates entering the labour market. Our findings indicate that dual VET is beneficial right after graduation. The operating channels are human capital, screening and signalling. The third chapter examines how a reduction in firms’ hiring costs influences firms’ provision of apprenticeship positions. Our findings show that the impact is very small on the number of apprenticeship positions having no effect on the probability of providing apprenticeship positions. The fourth chapter examines whether young people in countries with VET pathways have a smoother transition onto the labour market. We find that mixed education systems that include both general education and VET are best. Depending on the circumstances, dual VET is preferable over school-based VET. Overall, the evidence in this thesis supports strengthening dual VET in a country’s education system.