The career choice year is a variant for the 10th school year. An alternative would be, for example, the preparatory year for secondary school. While students in the first option focus intensively on career choice and preparation for vocational school, the second option focuses on closing gaps in their school knowledge for the transition to secondary school.

Vocational choice year, vocational preparation year or transitional options are various programs aimed at young people after compulsory schooling and before starting an apprenticeship or continuing their education. One of these programs is the 10th school year, which usually includes lessons five days a week and supports young people in choosing a career and developing social, personal and professional skills.

There are the following different offers 10th school year:

• 10th school year at a private school or a public school such as the vocational preparation year
• Vocational preparation year (BVJ): practical, company-based, integration-oriented and pilot project vocational preparation year plus (BVJplus)
• Full-time - 5 days a week - or part-time - 2.5 days of school and 2.5 days of internship per week
• Motivation semester (SEMO, public) - aimed at unemployed young people and registration with the Regional Employment Center (RAV) is required
• Sophomore year with office diploma VHS
• Specializations 10th school year: Vocational choice class or secondary school preparation class
• Bridging opportunities for people who have not found an apprenticeship
• Career choice and life preparation as a special school 15plus (for people with disabilities)

The 10th school year is also known as the career choice year, orientation year or bridge year in preparation for secondary school. These alternative names give an indication of the purpose of this school year. This is because the 10th school year is a meaningful year of maturation for performance-motivated secondary and intermediate school leavers. Young people who want to get off to a flying start at school are in the right place in this bridging program. Depending on the goal they wish to pursue, students can choose between the two specializations "Secondary school" or "Career choice". The middle school option provides comprehensive preparation for the entrance exam for secondary schools such as cantonal schools and grammar schools. Special attention is paid to passing the probationary period. The vocational apprenticeship option focuses on finding the right vocational training. However, it also supports students in finding an apprenticeship and prepares them for vocational school.

The career choice year is aimed at young people who do not know exactly what they want to do after their compulsory schooling, who have not received an apprenticeship contract, who are not yet old enough for certain apprenticeships or who still need prior knowledge for further education. For this reason, there is a wide range of options, from attending the 10th school year as general vocational preparation, language courses, pre-apprenticeships and stays abroad to preparatory courses and social assignments. If you are unsure about what you would like to do, we recommend talking to a careers advisor, who will be able to help you decide which transitional options are right for you.

Every Protestant school or other private school offers different programs, so that not every school offers an intermediate year, advanced year, performance year, decision year or reflection year. However, you will of course also find schools where the 10th school year can be completed either to catch up on the secondary school leaving certificate A or to prepare for a secondary school entrance examination or apprenticeship with a vocational baccalaureate.