Swiss vocational education and training in the digital age: Current state, challenges, and prospects

Abstract

The emergence of novel and powerful digitalization has transformed society and the economy in significant ways worldwide, and Switzerland is no exception. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of Swiss vocational education and training (VET) in the digital era, with significant implications for practice and research. A systematic, literature-based investigation was undertaken, and the findings yielded three primary themes: (1) Teachers' digital competence (TDC), (2) policy frameworks for digital VET, and (3) VET and emerging technologies. Based on the evidence we reviewed, we propose implications for the VET policymakers and institutions that are navigating the digital transformation. The findings highlight the necessity of developing comprehensive digital competence frameworks for teachers, integrating emerging technologies into vocational curricula, and addressing structural barriers between academic and vocational pathways. These insights provide actionable strategies for enhancing educational mobility, improving workforce readiness, and creating future-ready VET systems globally with a sustainable perspective.