Dec 10, 2025, 11:12 amDec 10, 2025, 11:13 am
New titles such as “Professional Bachelor” and “Professional Master” are being introduced in higher vocational education. These and other changes are intended to make vocational training more attractive and better recognized internationally.
It is hoped that the additions to the title will increase the attractiveness of the profession.Image: KEYSTONE
On Wednesday, the National Council, as the second council, approved a corresponding change to the Vocational Training Act with 168 votes to 24 and 2 abstentions. The template is now ready for the final votes at the end of the session.
The revision introduces the title additions “Professional Bachelor” and “Professional Master” for higher vocational training qualifications. In addition, English is now a possible additional examination language for federal professional and higher subject examinations. Ultimately, in future only providers of federally recognized educational programs will be allowed to use the designation “higher technical school”.
No further specification
This is an important signal against the shortage of skilled workers and to increase the attractiveness of careers in Switzerland, said Commission spokeswoman Katharina Prelicz-Huber (Greens/ZH). In addition, vocational training would be better recognized in an international context.
Specifically, the majority considered the introduction of the title additions “Professional Bachelor” and “Professional Master” to be important so that it can be recognized abroad that these are tertiary level qualifications.
A minority wanted to introduce clarification in order to differentiate titles from higher technical schools from the federal professional examinations. Accordingly, the title suffix should read “Professional Bachelor” when completing a higher specialist examination, and “Professional Bachelor in” when obtaining a degree from a higher technical school – supplemented by the subject area.
However, the council rejected this request by 105 votes to 85 with 4 abstentions. Therefore there were no differences between the councils. The business is on the home stretch.
There is a lack of practitioners
In principle, the reform was largely uncontested in both chambers of parliament. Few argued that the new title additions were unnecessary and could cause confusion. The majority was of the opinion that the revision could counteract the shortage of skilled workers with practical training.
The number of university degrees has increased more rapidly in recent years than those in higher vocational education, the Federal Council said in April when it passed its message to parliament. This poses the risk that the economy, and in particular small and medium-sized companies, will lack skilled workers with practical training.
People with relevant qualifications have the lowest risk of becoming unemployed and have excellent wage prospects, said Economy Minister Guy Parmelin. Abroad, however, people usually don’t know the corresponding diplomas. (sda)