In 2006, the Swiss Philosophy Olympiad was founded. Since then, no vocational student has ever won a medal – that is, until last Sunday.
Is that because as apprentices we are not good enough? Certainly not. Of course, we don’t benefit from philosophy lessons, but these are not really necessary in order to write a good essay.
Proof and shock
I proved this in person at this year’s Philosophy Olympiad. My essays carried me all the way to the finals and won me a bronze medal. I then learned that I was the first vocational student ever to win a medal. A moment of shock for me and yet hardly surprising.
The exchange is missing – though it would be crucial
Yet it would be so important to have the vocational school students participate in precisely such competitions. More exchange between high school students and apprentices is absolutely necessary. In my regular 3-year bank apprenticeship, this is not intended at all. Do we really want to divide our society so early and in this way?
Since I don’t “only” devote myself to my regular banking apprenticeship, but go to many events and competitions, I know what great things come out when the apprentice and the high school student meet. Not only can both learn a lot from each other, but many friendships, opportunities and good conversations are created. I can say that after having been a minority of one vocational school student at dozens of events throughout all of Europe.
Do vocational students avoid the Olympiads
The fact that few apprentices participate in the Science Olympiads, although some would probably like to, suggests a number of reasons.
- The Olympiads are not advertised at vocational schools, nor at apprenticeship companies.
- Apprentices have no additional incentive to take part in an Olympiad. In the worst case, they even have to spend their few vacation days on it.
- Apprentices are afraid of not having a chance against the more academically oriented high school students.
Apprentices do not actively avoid the Olympiads. The hurdles to participation are simply too high. Above all, it’s a shame that so few apprentices even know about the Olympiads.
Vocational schools could make the difference
The promotion of the Olympiads would primarily be the task of the vocational schools. A task that they do not really perform. Is this perhaps because the vocational schools themselves do not know about the Olympiads? Obviously, educational work is needed here, but from whose side? I appeal to all vocational schools to deal with the application of the Olympiads among their students. Fame and glory and a better student body beckon as a prize.
Participation must become more lucrative
The change from 13 vacation weeks to four to six per year is not the nicest aspect of a vocational apprenticeship. If you then tell a vocational student that they should spend their valuable vacation days on an academic competition, you will probably be met with justifiable displeasure. Exceptional cases like mine are probably rather rare, the broad mass of apprentices would much rather go to the beach for a few more days.
Every training company that takes the promotion of young talent seriously should therefore grant additional days off for participation in the Olympiads. At least for the final rounds. The costs of this are small, but here again fame and glory (free marketing) and an improvement of the own apprentices in several areas (think network, expertise, knowledge of human nature and openness, etc. etc.).
This could be the start of something big
My bronze medal win is probably more of a symbolic value. However, it could be the start of a major change in the dual education system. Will the apprentices and the high school students mingle more, or will they continue to hide away in their shells? It can only be healthy if we encourage the exchange of these two species. To make progress with this we need to work together. I am excited to see if we can actually make a difference and say that we should not miss this opportunity.
What do you think? Contact me with questions, thoughts or suggestions. I am at your disposal for the same.
