Executive Summary

The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI) approved and enacted a total of 43 new or revised professions in 2025. The adjustments respond to digitalization, new technologies, and changing economic requirements. Particularly noteworthy is the new profession AI Business Specialist with federal certificate of competence, which reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in enterprises.

Persons

Topics

  • Vocational education and skilled workforce development
  • Digitalization and artificial intelligence
  • Labor market adjustment
  • Federal certificates

Clarus Lead

Switzerland is systematically modernizing its vocational education: In 2025, the SBFI approved 43 professions anew or revised them to reflect economic and technological change. The measure addresses central challenges for decision-makers in education and HR: shortage of skilled workers in future industries and qualification gaps in artificial intelligence. With the new AI Business Specialist, vocational education is sending a clear signal for digital transformation.

Detailed Summary

The adaptation of the vocational education landscape follows a strategic logic: 22 new or revised professions were created in the area of initial vocational education, 21 in higher vocational education. This division makes it possible to specifically qualify both newcomers and professionals with specialization ambitions.

The new profession AI Business Specialist with federal certificate of competence symbolizes the prioritization of future technologies. It aims to train professionals who can strategically deploy artificial intelligence in business processes – a competence that companies increasingly consider critical. Approval by the SBFI underscores that AI knowledge no longer remains niche competence, but is integrated into standardized training pathways.

Key Messages

  • The SBFI approved or revised 43 professions in 2025 – a comprehensive modernization of vocational education
  • 22 professions concern initial vocational education, 21 higher vocational education
  • The new AI Business Specialist marks the institutional recognition of artificial intelligence as a key competence
  • Drivers of the reforms: digitalization, technological change, and changing economic requirements

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: Is the selection of these 43 professions based on systematic labor market research and forecasts, or do ad-hoc applications from industry associations dominate?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Which stakeholders were involved in the approval processes, and how was it ensured that individual industries are not overrepresented?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: To what extent is the creation of new professions the best strategy – or would modularization of existing training programs or shorter specialization courses be more efficient?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: Do vocational schools and training companies have sufficient qualified personnel and infrastructure to teach these new professions (particularly AI Business Specialist) in a timely manner?

  5. Labor Market Relevance: Is there actual demand for all 43 new professions, or is there a risk that some certificates lead to overqualification?

  6. Transparency: Which professions were specifically revised, and which contents were adjusted? A detailed list is missing from the announcement.

Sources

Primary Source: Vocational Education Responds to Changing Work Environment: 43 New and Revised Professions – Press Release of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI), February 10, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ February 10, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: February 10, 2026