Apprenticeship contract termination and dropout from VET: a comparison of educational-political challenges and strategies in Norway and Switzerland

Vocational education and training, and thus the preparation of young people for the job market in many respects, follows different patterns in Norway and in Switzerland. Both countries, however, struggle with delayed transitions into apprenticeship training, apprenticeship contract terminations and dropouts. In both countries, the lowering of the dropout rate is one of the top priorities in educational policy. The present article examines the challenges and educational-political strategies of both countries regarding the integration of young adults into VET. It is based on a comparison of research literature from both Norway and Switzerland on the transition from school to VET, on apprenticeship contract termination, and on dropout. Despite a great number of non-linear educational pathways, both countries are successful in leading a great number of young adults towards graduation in different ways and with the help of different offers and measures. The strategies of both countries concerning the vocational integration of young adults are discussed in the final conclusion.