Background:
FWE is a global non-profit organization headquartered in the United States. Since its founding in 2018, FWE has remained committed to its mission: to transform education to meet the skills and knowledge needs of current and future global society, economic growth, social progress, and sustainability. We provide a unique platform connecting business leaders, education innovators, and policymakers to better align education with economic and societal demands.
As globalization accelerates, more international companies are investing in education to support local talent development and long-term growth. Vocational education has emerged as a strategic tool for companies entering new markets. Switzerland stands as the global benchmark in this area, having successfully established a dual vocational education and training (VET) system that integrates academic learning with practical industry experience.
Today, over 800 Swiss companies operate in China, including 400 in Shanghai. Many of them have successfully localized the Swiss apprenticeship model, partnering with vocational schools to build training academies, provide equipment, and certify skill acquisition. These practices not only benefit students with practical skills and career pathways, but also contribute to local economic development and workforce quality. In parallel, leading Chinese companies such as Geely Group have also launched significant vocational education initiatives, demonstrating China’s growing leadership in the education-enterprise integration space.
FWE will convene a two-day international conference to showcase and promote these best practices—from both Swiss and Chinese enterprises—and to explore how vocational education can serve as a bridge between global business expansion and sustainable development. The event also aims to lay intellectual groundwork for the Forum for World Education’s Switzerland Conference in November 2025, its Annual Forum in 2026, and the upcoming Shanghai International Skills Competition 2026—positioning education as the nexus of economic growth and international cooperation.
Conference Focus:
- Experience sharing from Swiss and Chinese enterprises, offering diverse perspectives on investment in vocational education
- How vocational education supports both global expansion and local talent development
- The Swiss dual vocational education model and its successful adaptation in China
- Policy insights from Swiss and Chinese decision-makers to inform global best practices
- Preparation for the FWE Switzerland Conference (Nov 2025), the FWE Annual Forum (2026), and the Shanghai International Skills Competition (2026)
