Hands-on experience of how a company works

The Economy Weeks are practical, experience-oriented weeks held at higher level secondary schools (Gymnasien) in Switzerland. Since the early 1970s, the Economy Weeks have enabled students at higher level secondary schools to become involved in a practical and intensive manner with the business world.

A joint commitment to basic education in economics

The Economy Weeks are a joint project offered by the Ernst Schmidheiny Foundation, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Switzerland and numerous companies. At present, 80 higher level secondary schools (Gymnasien) with about 170 classes and approximately 3500 students are taking part. Since the introduction of the Economy Weeks in 1974, more than 90,000 students at higher secondary school level have completed an Economy Week.

A successful concept: "Human plus tool"

The Economy Weeks are based on the WIWAG^® teaching concept from the Ernst Schmidheiny Foundation. The unique feature of the Economy Weeks is the deployment of managers from industry and commerce as instructors. With their professional experience, they create as close a link as possible to the real world of business. The curriculum of the Economy Weeks was developed at the Institute of Education in Economics (Institut für Wirtschaftspädagogik) of the University of St. Gallen and in consultation with social partners.

Aims of the Economy Weeks

• hands-on experience of how a company works
• activity-oriented communication of basic business knowledge
• non-judgemental communication of knowledge as the foundation of own opinion
• arousing interest in economic matters
• personal encounters and discussions with representatives of companies;