Flexible learning pathways in adult education and training The Swiss model

Abstract

Switzerland is a multicultural federal state with four national languages and a centuries-old history, where everything, including education, runs like clockwork. This is confirmed by the OECD Education at Glance (2025) and Survey of Adult Skills (2023) reports. Lifelong learning, adult education, training, and continuing education play an important role in the Swiss education system. Swiss education authorities at both cantonal and federal level have introduced numerous positive discrimination measures to facilitate lifelong learning and enable specialisation and career changes.

The research method used is document analysis. I examined the legal background of the school system and its operation, the regulatory documents, processed the information available on the websites of the institutions responsible for education, and subjected the education report of the Swiss Institute for Educational Research (SKBF 2023) to a secondary analysis.

During the analysis of the documents, I found that not only the Swiss dual training system, but the entire education system functions in an exemplary manner, thus deserving to serve as a model for other countries.