Dual vocational training plays an important role in Switzerland. As a major education centre in eastern Switzerland, the St.Gallen Centre of Vocational Education and Training (GBS) is committed to firstclass quality. Over 6000 students are taught each week in around 70 different educations.
The demands of the employment market are increasing constantly. Those hoping to achieve success will need to be in a position to offer extensive specialist knowledge and the associated skills. The spectrum of training options we offer is accordingly broad and diverse, ranging from courses lasting several days to federally recognised programmes at higher technical college level.
History and values
Established in 1860 as a drawing school, the GBS is an educational establishment with a long-standing tradition that has adapted to the evolving needs of the economy and kept pace with the times. We put heart and soul into nurturing young professionals and providing them with an ideal start to their career. People are at the heart of everything we do – trust, openness, honesty and respect form the basis of our approach. Education is our core competence – and it is what drives us on a daily basis. Success is the result of good cooperation with clear objectives – we challenge and nurture our students along this path.
Basic training
4600 students from 15 cantons of Switzerland and from the Principality of Liechtenstein attend lessons each week in one of our _ve departments: Building, Services, Design, Technology and Federal Vocational Baccalaureate. Alongside vocational training, general education and sports, we also offer a comprehensive selection of optional courses for talent development comprising vocational aspects, performance enhancement, foreign languages and much more.
We form part of an international network, work in a project-based approach and maintain regular exchange with partner schools from Finland to Portugal and from Reykjavík to Moscow.
Bridging programmes
The vocational foundation year, the pre-vocational course, the integration course and the introductory design course for adolescents form part of our bridging programme designed above all for high-school leavers. 450 students take advantage of this opportunity every year, and spend this time working towards a successful start to their basic vocational training.
Further training
1600 participants attend courses or seminars every year as part of their vocational and personal development, helping to secure themselves additional opportunities and prospects on the employment market.
With its school of design and the building school, the GBS operates two successful centres of competence in the areas of higher and advanced vocational training with a renown that extends beyond eastern Switzerland
