Multilingualism in technical vocational education and training (VET): A case study from eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein

Abstract

As a result of globalisation, people with varied language skills and language biographies are increasingly brought together in the workplace. To ensure that our future skilled workforce can operate effectively in such multilingual situations, it is important that vocational education and training (VET) programmes prepare all apprentices for the demands of such workplaces. However, as very little is known about the role of multilingualism in technical occupations and respective VET programmes, we have chosen to address this topic as part of an international collaboration project funded by Movetia. This report provides an insight into the role of multilingualism in VET programmes related to eleven occupations*. The case study presented in this report suggests, on the one hand, that language needs in VET programmes are very complex and, on the other hand, that greater emphasis should be placed on multilingual education in VET programmes in the technical sector. Based on our findings, we argue for a more comprehensive multilingual education within technical VET and offer practical recommendations