Dear Editor,
The lead article in Sinorama's August overseas edition raises a series of questions concerning Taiwan's current system of vocational education. I once read an article on the Swiss education system which claimed that Switzerland's vocational education system was unique. Having read other materials on the subject and talked about it with my Swiss husband and other Swiss friends, I have concluded that Switzerland's vocational education system is indeed worth emulating.
Switzerland's population is 7 million, but the country has only 19 universities and technical colleges. Some 70% of high school graduates go on to do an apprenticeship of two to four years, with fixed vacations and annual salary increases. On completing their training, which comprises theory and practice, apprentices are required to pass qualifying examinations to be professionally certified. For example, during my husband's apprenticeship in papermaking, he attended introductory classes in the theory of papermaking two days a week and received on-the-job training in a paper mill the remaining three days. Even after he had finished his apprenticeship and was working as a paper maker, the paper mill gave him numerous opportunities to further his training. The fact that he was working did not mean that he stopped studying.
The Swiss vocational education system is not geared toward students with low grades or academic difficulties. In fact, many prominent people in the world of business and politics are former apprentices. In the job market, practical work experience is far more important than academic credentials. Nor do the Swiss distinguish between prestigious professions and humble trades. I have often seen private ads in local newspapers congratulating apprentices on successfully completing their training, such as a mother congratulating her son on obtaining his baker's diploma or grandparents congratulating their granddaughter on getting her hairdresser's diploma.
Like my husband, most of my Swiss friends did apprenticeships in any number of trades, including train ticket collector, carpenter, and supermarket cashier. I remember that a friend of mine who was working as a supermarket cashier told me that she had once made an embarrassing mistake during her apprenticeship. I stupidly blurted out, "You mean you have to do an apprenticeship for such as simple job as working at a cash register?" I immediately realized how rude my question was. My friend smiled and told me that she had thought the same thing before beginning her apprenticeship, but she ended up learning a lot.
Living in Switzerland these past few years, I have noticed that no matter what their trade or profession, the Swiss pay great attention to details. I suspect that the Swiss are taught this work ethic as part of their vocational education. Swiss people show respect for all trades and professions and don't consider some to be more prestigious than others. This respect for all trades is the main reason Swiss people do their jobs without feelings of resentment or humiliation.
I sincerely hope that Taiwan's vocational education system will have a brighter future and that it will produce a workforce of the highest caliber.
