Financing vocational training

The federal government contributes 25% of the public sector costs for vocational education and training. The majority of the federal lump-sum allowance is paid for services under Art. 53 para. 2 VPETA . The amount of these lump sums is based on the number of basic education courses per canton. The cantons pass these contributions on to third parties insofar as they are entrusted with the aforementioned services.

The rest of the contribution is made by the federal government:

Cantons and third parties for the financing of projects for the development of vocational education and training and quality development (VPETA Art. 54 );
Cantons and third parties for special services in the public interest (VPETA Art. 55 );
Third parties for the conduct of federal VET Diploma examinations and Federal Advanced Professional Diploma examinations as well as courses offered by professional organisations (VPETA Art. 56 ).

Financing vocational education and training

Finanzierung Berufliche Grundbildung: Leistungen und Träger — Die verschiedenen Kostenträger der beruflichen Grundbildung.

Financing continuing education

Finanzierung der Weiterbildung: Leistungen und Träger — Die verschiedenen Kostenträger der Weiterbildung.

Distribution of financing

Cantonal Part 1

Cantonal Part 1 includes the cost contributions made by the cantons (and municipalities) as defined in the intercantonal agreements.

The Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions to Training Costs for Vocational Education and Training (Vocational School Agreement BFSV) is authoritative for vocational education and training. The agreement applies to the area of vocational education and training in accordance with Articles 12 to 25 VPETA . It covers preparation for vocational education and training, tuition at vocational schools and full-time vocational training in the training courses that are subject to the Federal Act on Vocational Education and Training.

Cantonal Part 2

Fees for federal examinations

Graduates of preparatory courses are supported by the federal government with contributions amounting to 50% of the course costs (subject-oriented financing).

The remaining costs are borne by private means (employer, students). The federal government is responsible for conducting the federal examinations with contributions amounting to 60% to a maximum of 80% of the costs (contributions to organisations responsible for conducting vocational examinations).

Contributions to professional education institutions

The “Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions to Education Programmes at Professional Education Institutions (HFSV) ” has been in force since 2014. It provides for intercantonal compensation for professional education institutions amounting to 50% of the full costs. Compensation of up to 90% of the full costs can be agreed for the specialist areas health, agriculture, forestry, social work and adult education. In contrast to the previous system, the HFSV provides for freedom of movement. This means that students pay the same tuition fees for a study programme regardless of their canton of origin.

Contributions for innovation and special services