Rather important point to make, especially from a US perspective. Having Swiss friends going to vocational training (in an "apprenticeship" model) has taught me quite a bit about the difference it can make. That system is far from perfect. Friends and relatives have complained that the choice of a path was too early (12yo, if memory serves). And there have been times when Swiss unemployment levels have gone up quickly. Still, it's a useful reminder that a hyperindustrialized economy can give vocational training its due. There's also a connection to craftsmanship. Germany is really wellknown for it and I've heard FabLab experts associate this with hisorical events such as WWII. Yet it doesn't sound like Switzerland's neutral status has differentiated it from Germany in this respect since some Swiss industries have very similar features.