Instruction in language, communication and society (LCS)

Instruction in language, communication and society (LCS) falls within the overall framework of upper-secondary level VET programmes and is focused on the apprentices’ experience. LCS instruction should enable them to gain access to the labour market, remain employed and become part of society.

For the purposes of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA), LCS instruction applies to all areas of VET programmes. The scope of application also includes two-year VET programmes for the Federal VET Certificate.

LCS instruction in VET programmes is governed by Art. 15 VPETA and Art. 19 VPETO. The SERI Ordinance on Minimum Requirements for Language, Communication and Society Instruction in VET Programmes (OCMCG, SR 412.101.241) as well as the Core Syllabus for Language, Communication and Society Instruction at VET schools (Core-LCS) (new from 2026: Core Syllabus for Language, Communication and Society Instruction in VET programmes (2025) are both based on the two aforementioned legal instruments.

Language, Communication and Society Instruction includes two learning areas:

• Language and Communication
• Society (culture, law, ecology, economics, ethics, identity and socialisation, politics and technology).

The Core Syllabus (2006) specifies each learning area in several training objectives and aspects. In addition, it determines how LCS instruction takes place in VET schools and the requirements on the description of the topics in the school syllabus and the requirements on the design of the qualification procedure. Fostering language, personal, social and methodological competences, together with the development of professional competence, forms the core of LCS instruction at VET schools.

LCS instruction at VET schools is organised into topics and actions, not subjects. In other words, the topics refer to the learners’ personal, career and social experience. The specific content (e.g. legal aspects) are assigned to the topic and are often dealt with using concrete situations that apprentices may actually experience on a daily basis. This approach enables them to develop their professional competences.

The LCS competence area is part of the final examination.

For learners who began their training before 2026, this competence area includes – for three and four-year VET programmes – performance grades, personal in-depth work and final examination, and for two-year VET programmes performance grades and personal in-depth work.

Amendments from 01.01.2026 accordance with the revised ordinance and revised core syllabus:
The development of competences (see Chap. 2.2 Objectives of Language, Communication and Society Instruction in the 2025 Core Syllabus) for orientation in the context of personal life and in society as well as for coping with private and professional challenges forms the core of LCS instruction at VET schools. The revised core syllabus (2025) specifies the actual content of each learning area. It also lists twelve key competences for lifelong learning and explanations relating to the concept of the LCS competence area and school syllabuses.

For learners who begin their training after 2026, the LCS competence area is comprised of the following parts:

• For the two-year VET programme, the LCS performance grade
• For the three- and four-year VET programme, the LCS performance grade, the final project and the final examination

In order to harmonize the LCS competence areas throughout Switzerland, the duration of the examination portions is now binding:

• The final project consists of developing a product over 25 to 35 working hours and a presentation,
• The final examination consists of an oral examination of 20 minutes or a written examination of 150 minutes.

It is also stipulated that a uniform type of examination must apply within a canton for the final examination - either written or oral.

The qualification procedure according to the SERI Ordinance on Minimum Requirements for Language, Communication and Society Instruction in VET programmes (2025) will take place for the first time in 2028 for two-year VET programmes and in 2029/2030 for three- or four-year VET programmes.

LCS instruction acquired in a formal or informal manner also may be taken into account in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA). Adults thus have access to the Federal VET Certificate or Federal VET Diploma examinations.

The Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (FVB) is an extended type of Language, Communication and Society Instruction. It is completed with a Federal Vocational Baccalaureate Certificate and, together with the Federal Certificate of Proficiency, entitles the holder to examination-free access to tertiary education, in particular to universities of applied sciences.