Equal opportunities for vocational training places

Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child obliges Liechtenstein to promote education in a way that is accessible and equal to all children. Article 23 CRC additionally strengthens the right of children with disabilities to an education that promotes their abilities and enables their participation in society. This also includes the obligation to ensure equal opportunities for all children and young people to have access to appropriate vocational training. In its 2023 report on Liechtenstein, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child specifically calls on Liechtenstein to specifically promote the acquisition of skills and abilities of children and young people with disabilities in order to improve their employment opportunities and facilitate the transition from school to working life. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that appropriate educational opportunities are also provided close to home in order to guarantee accessibility and strengthen the social participation of these young people in the long term.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been in force in Liechtenstein since the reporting year, also contains the specific obligation to guarantee people with disabilities equal access to education at all levels. This also includes vocational training. It requires states to take measures to promote the acquisition of skills and thus enable the participation in working life of adolescents and young adults with disabilities. This also means that vocational education and training programs must be made accessible so that all children and young people have opportunities on the labour market. The convention thus underlines the right to self-determination and equal participation in education and employment. Finally, the Liechtenstein Disability Equality Act also aims to shape social participation in such a way that people with disabilities are included and given equal rights. This also applies to the labor market. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in working life and obliges public bodies to ensure accessibility. However, it does not contain any requirements for the private sector

As the advisory practice of the Ombudsman's Office for Children and Young People (OSKJ) shows, there are gaps in Liechtenstein despite existing approaches, including in the range of two-year BA vocational apprenticeships (BA = Berufsattest). These are aimed in particular at young people who are talented in practical skills but have less potential for strong school-based theoretical content. Compared to the three- to four-year FC apprenticeships (FC = certificate of proficiency), they offer practical training with a reduced academic requirement. They teach basic technical, methodological and social skills that are necessary for qualified work in the respective profession. They are also suitable for young people with disabilities.

The range of BA apprenticeships in Liechtenstein is very limited. In 2025, a total of 385 apprenticeships were advertised in over 120 different apprenticeships in 22 occupational fields. Only 31 of these were BA apprenticeships, which are limited to just 10 occupational fields. The limited occupational fields and lack of public training companies do not guarantee equal access to training for young people with the above-mentioned profile. This is not in line with children's rights. It is particularly problematic that neither the state nor the municipalities offer BA apprenticeships and that public sector companies or large companies do not offer them either. Overall, the number of BA apprenticeships is therefore continuing to fall.

To ensure that all young people have an equal choice of apprenticeships, concrete government efforts are needed to increase the number of BA apprenticeships on offer. The potential for BA apprenticeships in various economic and administrative sectors is certainly there. The state and municipal administrations already offer various inclusive jobs and could also take on a pioneering role for BA apprenticeships. They could win over state-related companies and organizations that perform certain state tasks via service agreements as partners for the creation of such apprenticeships. The private sector should be motivated to create BA apprenticeships with targeted incentives or support measures.

 

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