Education is enormously important in enabling young people to take full part in economic and social life, so it is essential that young people who speak a foreign language and who have already completed compulsory education in their country of origin, and who travel to Switzerland to be with family, gain access to the vocational education system.

Certain conditions have to be met for them to gain access successfully: basic educational knowledge, in particular in German and Maths, as well as soft skills, such as learning and work techniques, organisational skills and problem-solving strategies.

Special education courses specifically geared to the needs of young people who only speak a foreign language provide support to help them bridge the gap into training or an apprenticeship.