The cantons are responsible for organising and supervising school education. The administration of VET schools can vary depending on the canton and tradition:

• The canton itself
• Municipalities and associations of municipalities
• Private bodies

VET schools have an independent educational mandate. Vocational tuition teaches the theoretical part of the profession to be learned. General education covers topics that encourage personal growth and the development of independent thinking.

The cantons, in partnership with professional organisations, are responsible for running inter-company courses, the content of which is defined in the respective education decrees (Education Ordinance and Education Plan).

Responsibility for carrying out the qualification processes lies with the cantons, even though the cantons have different organisational structures. As a rule, examination committees are responsible for implementation, which are either responsible for individual professions or occupational groups or for all vocational education and training programmes. The canton may also delegate the implementation of the professional qualification processes to an association or a competence centre.

In accordance with Art. 35 para. 1 VPETO , the cantonal authority appoints examination experts to carry out the final examinations for vocational education and training. The relevant professional organisations have the right to make suggestions.

The vocational education qualification for vocational trainers in host companies comprises 100 hours of study and is completed with a federal diploma. Alternatively, a 40-hour course for vocational trainers in host companies can be completed. This course is run by the cantons themselves or in collaboration with professional organisations. Course participants receive a cantonal, federally recognised permit.

The Training of vocational trainers  is defined in the framework curriculum for VET school teachers.

The cantonal authorities , generally the vocational training offices, are responsible for supervising all in-company and school-based basic vocational education and training. Supervision includes, in particular, advising and supporting the parties to the apprenticeship contract and coordinating the tasks of all those involved in vocational education and training.

In addition, the supervisory bodies oversee the in-company portion of vocational education and training:

• Compliance with the statutory provisions in the apprenticeship contract
• Compliance with the apprenticeship contract by the contracting parties
• The quality of training in professional practice (including inter-company courses and comparable third-party learning locations)
• Examinations and other qualification processes The core tasks of the school supervisory authority are
• Ensuring the quality of school education
• Advising and supporting school management and school committees in pedagogical, psychological, business management and legal matters

The vocational education and training offices are centres of excellence for vocational education and training issues. They are partners for all actors involved in vocational education and training, such as the federal government, the cantonal education departments, associations, business entities and for the other individuals involved in basic vocational education and training (vocational trainers, teachers, trainees, parents, etc.).

Providing mediation and advice are the main tasks of the Office for Vocational Education and Training. It serves the parties involved in the apprenticeship contract, as well as third parties, and is bound by official confidentiality. In the event of disputes, it can act as a neutral party and assist in finding alternative solutions in the event of contract termination. Another important task is to support companies that (want to) train apprentices.

In addition to the traditional tasks, which can be described as ensuring the smooth running of vocational education and training, those responsible in the cantonal vocational education and training offices take on tasks related to the further development of vocational education and training.

The professional organisations (OdAs), as part of the Committees for Professional Development and Quality, are responsible for the content of the Vocational Education and Training Ordinance. They also ensure that the training content and quality of vocational education and training are periodically adapted to meet the demands of the working world.

The Committees for Professional Development and Quality were made up of representatives from the professional organisations, including representatives of specialist teachers, the Swiss Confederation (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI) and the cantons (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education EDK). The function, duties, competencies and procedures of the B&Q committees are stipulated in the «Guidelines for the Swiss Commissions for Professional Development and Quality» (B&Q Commissions).

The VET plan is part of the VET Ordinance. It serves as the vocational-pedagogical concept of basic vocational education and training, and as a tool for promoting quality in education. It is issued by the responsible professional organisation, approved by SERI and is binding.

In basic vocational education and training, the professional associations, in collaboration with the cantons, are responsible for conducting inter-company courses to impart basic vocational skills. They also draw up the necessary regulations for this purpose.

According to federal law, the cantons are obliged to provide vocational education within their regions. They can delegate this task to the municipalities or to professional associations and companies.

Many company and municipal vocational schools are integrated into the public structures. An example of a private institution is the commercial vocational schools, some of which are supported by the Swiss Commercial Association.

Professional associations can be commissioned by the Confederation or the cantons to conduct final examinations as part of qualification processes. Carrying out the final examinations requires a large number of experts from business, who must have in-depth and up-to-date specialist knowledge as well as the necessary assessment skills.

The professional associations conduct the examinations recognised by the Confederation in accordance with their own regulations. These include the Federal Professional Examination, the Advanced Federal Professional Examination with Federal Diploma and the diploma examinations at professional education institutions. The federal government is responsible for monitoring the examinations and approving the regulations.

CET is designed to help qualified individuals adapt their vocational skills to technical, economic and social developments and to broaden their general education.