Higher Education is Overvalued According to Expert Ursula Renold
The Swiss educator Ursula Renold is revolutionizing the perspective on educational paths by asserting that the traditional academic route of upper secondary school has been overemphasized in our contemporary society. Her analysis reveals that holding a university degree no longer constitutes an automatic guarantee for achieving a successful professional career, opening space to consider alternative educational paths that are equally valid and promising 🎓.
The dual model as an innovative educational solution
Dual vocational training, known internationally as VET (Vocational Education and Training), represents an integrative approach that combines theoretical learning in educational institutions with practical experience in real companies. This system allows students to develop specific sector competencies from the early stages of their training, creating professionals better prepared for the current demands of the market.
Key advantages of dual training:- Development of specific technical skills from the start of vocational training
- Opportunity for early job insertion with remuneration during the educational process
- Possibility to continue university studies later with a solid practical foundation
"Dual training prepares young people for highly demanded jobs and can serve as a solid foundation for those who eventually wish to obtain a university degree" - Ursula Renold
Transformation in the perception of professional success
In the current economic context, companies are prioritizing demonstrable technical skills and concrete practical experience over traditional academic degrees. Renold highlights the paradox where many university graduates face difficulties finding employment in their areas of specialization, while VET program graduates frequently record higher employability rates and competitive remuneration 💼.
Fundamental changes in professional valuation:- Contemporary companies value the ability to solve practical problems more than the accumulation of academic certificates
- Immediate employability has become a more relevant indicator of success than the possession of university degrees
- Educational systems are being pressured to incorporate more vocational options that respond to the real needs of the productive sector
Revealing metaphor about traditional education
Renold uses a striking analogy by comparing traditional university education to "wearing an elegant suit to a pool party": although it may superficially impress, it proves hardly functional when it is necessary to "swim" in the challenging waters of the real job market. This reflection underscores the growing disconnection between conventional academic training and the competencies actually required in the current professional field 🌊.