Switzerland is universally respected for its highly successful economy. It has long enjoyed low unemployment and inflation, and an exceptionally satisfactory transition process for youngsters from school to work. This book provides a nuts-and-bolts comparison of how this successful transition is brought about. It explains the different emphases of Swiss secondary schooling by focusing on the way in which both academic and practical subjects are taught. The different ways in which career guidance and intervals of work experience are handled in the two countries are also considered.

Higher standards of schooling and of vocational training are now widely recognized as essential in Britain if benefits are to be gained from advanced technology, and if unemployment rates are to be reduced. The continuing development of automated production methods, combined with increasing competition from low-wage developing economies, is likely to reduce even further the scope for the employment of low skilled and inexperienced personnel in advanced economies. This book provides a realistic analysis of what needs to be done, based on visits over the past ten years by expert teams to...