Authorities

Several authorities play a role in upper-secondary level vocational education and training (VET) and tertiary-level professional education both at a federal and cantonal level. They advise, take decisions and are responsible for supervising the entire Swiss system of vocational and professional education and training (VPET).

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER)
A higher supervisory and enforcement authority of the Confederation

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)
SERI is the federal agency responsible for implementing tasks set forth in the Federal Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA, SR 412.10); SERI issues VET ordinances and core syllabuses, approves training plans, accredits professional education, is responsible for quality assurance and continued development of the entire system, for the promotion of innovation. SERI also supports specific services that are in the public interest.

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
SECO acts as the interface between companies, social partners and policymakers. It supports balanced regional and structural development of the economy and ensures that workers are protected. Through its labour market policy, it helps to reduce unemployment and ensure social harmony.

Labour inspectorates
Labour inspectorates are federal and cantonal offices responsible for implementing the Employment Act (EmpA, SR 822.11): regulations on working hours, health promotion and disease and accident prevention.

Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK)
Cantonal departments of education (the name varies for each canton) are all part of the EDK, which has several specialised conferences. The most important is the Swiss Conference of VET Offices (SBBK).

Department of Education or Department of Economic Affairs
At cantonal level, the office responsible for upper-secondary level vocational education and training (VET) is attached to the Cantonal Department of Education (name may vary in each canton) or the Cantonal Department of Economic Affairs. For example, in the Canton of Fribourg and the Canton of Zug, the cantonal VET office is part of the Cantonal Department of Economic Affairs.

Cantonal VET office
In each canton, the VET office is the most important office for implementation of the Federal Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA). Based on VPETA and cantonal implementing provisions, the cantonal VET office carries out most tasks that are incumbent upon the cantonal authorities: supervision of apprenticeships and VET schools, examinations, training of trainers, processing of grant requests, etc.