English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Section 1 Common Provisions
Art. 59 Assessment base used to determine the portion of federal funding
(Art. 52 para. 1 and 59 para. 2 VPETA) 1 The Confederation’s share of VPET costs relating to the tasks mentioned in VPETA shall be calculated on the basis of the average net cost to the Confederation in the previous four calendar years. 2 Net costs are determined by calculating the full costs and subtracting the revenues. 3 Net costs shall not include the following: a. costs incurred by implementation authorities; b. workplace and payroll costs for learners working within the Federal Administration or public corporations.
Art. 60 Reporting of cantonal costs
(Art. 53 para. 2 VPETA) 1 By 1 July of each year, the Cantons shall inform SERI of the net costs that they and the communes incurred in the previous year in relation to VPET. 2 The costs shall be broken down according to the tasks mentioned in Article 53 paragraph 2 VPETA. The costs associated with school-based VET programmes must be presented separately. 3 SERI may establish other breakdown criteria in corresponding guidelines.
Art. 61 Breakdown of federal subsidies
(Art. 52 VPETA) Federal subsidies shall be allocated as follows: a. subsidies under Article 4 paragraph 2 and Article 48 VPETA; b. subsidies under Article 54 and Article 55 VPETA; c. subsidies under Articles 56 and 56a VPETA; d. lump-sum subsidy mentioned in Article 53 VPETA.
Art. 61 — Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147). let. c — Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Section 2 Lump-sum Funding
(Art. 53 VPETA)
Art. 62
1 Federal lump-sum funding provided to the Cantons under Article 53 VPETA shall be divided as follows: a. one portion for the costs of school-based VET programmes; b. one portion for the costs of dual-track VET programmes. 2 The portion referred to in paragraph 1 letter a shall be distributed among the Cantons on the basis of the number learners enrolled in school-based VET programmes, the portion referred to in paragraph 1 letter b shall be distributed among the Cantons on the basis of the number of learners enrolled in dual-track VET programmes. The frame of reference shall be the average amount of lump-sum funding granted over the past four years. 3 Cantons that do not offer professional education or job-related CET shall receive a commensurately smaller lump-sum payment. 4 … 5 SERI shall make lump-sum payments twice per year.
Para. 4 — Repealed by No I 1 of the O of 7 Nov. 2007 on the New System of Fiscal Equalisation and Division of Tasks between the Confederation and Cantons, with effect from 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 5823).
Section 3 Federal Subsidies for Projects to Develo
Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 63 Federal subsidies for projects to develop the VPET system and improve quality
(Art. 4 and 54 VPETA) 1 Federal subsidies for projects that seek to develop the VPET system in accordance with Article 54 VPETA shall cover no more than 60 per cent of the total corresponding expenditure. In justifiable cases, this threshold may be extended to a maximum of 80 per cent. 2 Federal subsidies shall be granted as follows: a. for studies and pilot projects: on the basis of how well they can measure the feasibility and effectiveness of new education measures in the field or how well they can implement reforms; b. for the creation of new more efficient structures: on the basis of whether various partners are willing to join an independent body responsible for new VPET-related fields. 3 Projects shall be subsidised for a period not exceeding four years. This funding may be extended for a maximum of one more year.
Art. 63 — Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 64 Federal subsidies for specific activities that serve the public interest
(Art. 55 VPETA) 1 Federal subsidies for specific activities that serve the public interest in accordance with Article 55 VPETA shall cover no more than 60 per cent of the total corresponding expenditure. In justifiable cases, this threshold may be extended to a maximum of 80 per cent. 1bis … 2 Subsidy amounts shall vary according to: a. the degree of interest; b. the likelihood that applicants will provide services themselves; c. the urgency of the measure. 3 Activities shall be subsidised for a period not exceeding five years. This period may be extended.
Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the O of 25 Sept. 2015 (AS 2015 3807). Repealed by Art. 36 of the O of 23 Feb. 2022 on International Cooperation and Mobility in Education, with effect from 1 April 2022 (AS 2022 165).
Section 4 Subsidies for Federal Professional Exami
Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 65 Subsidies for federal professional examinations
(Art. 56 VPETA) 1 The federal subsidies mentioned in Article 56 VPETA for federal professional examinations shall cover no more than 60 per cent of the corresponding expenditure. 2 A special subsidy of up to 80 per cent of the corresponding expenditure may be granted for examinations that are particularly costly for technical reasons. When applying for a special subsidy, the reasons justifying the application must be given.
Art. 65 — Amended by No I of the O of 14 Nov. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6473).
Art. 65a Subsidies for study programmes at professional education institutions
(Art. 56 VPETA) 1 The subsidies mentioned in Article 56 VPETA for study programmes at professional education institutions shall cover no more than 25 per cent of the corresponding expenditure. 2 Subsidies for study programmes at professional education institutions shall be provided if: a. the study programmes are created by professional organisations whose activities are carried out at national level, for the whole of Switzerland; and b. the study programmes do not already benefit from cantonal subsidies.
Art. 65a — Inserted by No I of the O of 14 Nov. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6473).
Section 5 Procedure for Handling Funding Requests
(Art. 57 VPETA)
Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 66 …
1 SERI shall establish guidelines for funding requests, the involvement of experts, budgeting and the calculation of project costs under Articles 54–56 VPETA. 2 ... 2 SERI shall submit incoming funding requests to the Federal Commission for Vocational and Professional Education and Training (EBBK) to obtain its opinion. For the projects mentioned in Article 54 VPETA, only projects whose total cost exceeds CHF 250,000 shall be submitted. 3 For the projects mentioned in Articles 54–56 VPETA, SERI shall provide the following information in its decision regarding the subsidy: a. amount of subsidy granted; b. measures to monitor achievement of the goals established; c. procedure to be followed in the event of unforeseen circumstances; d. assessment of action taken. 4 For projects mentioned in Article 54 VPETA, SERI shall provide the following information in its decision regarding the subsidy: a. the various steps to be followed for projects whose expected duration exceeds one year; b. follo
Art. 66 — Repealed by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, with effect from 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147). Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the O of 29 Jan. 2025, in force since 1 March 2025 (AS 2025 82). Para. 2 — Repealed by No I of the O of 29 Jan. 2025, with effect from 1 March 2025 (AS 2025 82).
Section 6 Subsidies for Completion of Preparatory
(Art. 56a and 56b VPETA)
Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 66a Subsidy applications and timeframes
1 Persons who complete preparatory courses for federal professional examinations may apply to SERI for a federal subsidy. 2 As a rule, the subsidy application is submitted after the person has taken the federal professional examination. 3 If the prerequisites under Article 66e are met, then it is possible for the person to request that part of the subsidy be paid before he/she has taken the federal professional examination.
Art. 66b Subsidy application submitted after person has taken a federal professional examination
The subsidy application submitted after a person has taken a federal professional examination shall include the following: a. Information about the applicant; b. the invoices issued by the provider of the preparatory course indicating the course fees to be paid by the course participant; c. the certificate issued by the provider of the preparatory course confirming that the course participant has paid the course fees; d. the examination report indicating whether the course participant obtained a passing or failing score on the federal professional examination.
Art. 66c Eligibility criteria for payment of a subsidy after taking the federal professional examination
1 SERI shall pay a subsidy if: a. the person completing the preparatory course has his/her tax domicile in Switzerland on the date of issuance of the examination report attesting to the pass/fail score obtained on the federal professional examination; b. the completed preparatory course: 1. was included in the official list of preparatory courses for federal professional examinations under Article 66g in the year in which the course began, and 2. was attended not longer than seven years prior to issuance of the examination report attesting to the pass/fail score obtained on the federal professional examination; c. the eligible course fees exceed a total of CHF 1000; d. the provider of the preparatory course issues a certificate indicating that the person completing the preparatory course has paid the course fees and that this certificate has not already been submitted in relation to another application or request; e. a federal professional examination was taken; f. the application was
Art. 66d Application for partial payment of the subsidy to the person taking the federal professional examination
1 The application for partial payment of the subsidy to the person taking the federal professional examination includes: a. information about the applicant; b. a written commitment to SERI: 1. that the person will take the federal professional examination, and 2. that the person will produce the examination report attesting to the pass/fail score obtained on the federal professional examination no later than five years after the first subsidy application was submitted; c. the invoice issued by the provider of the preparatory course indicating the course fees to be paid by the course participant; d. the confirmation issued by the provider of the preparatory course confirming that the course participant has paid the eligible course fees; e. proof that, according to the last legally binding tax assessment, the applicant was required to pay less than CHF 88 in direct federal taxation. 2 Several applications may be submitted for partial payment of the subsidy. Any remaining amounts may be a
Art. 66e Prerequisites for partial payment of the subsidy, invoicing and reclaiming
1 SERI shall make partial payment of the subsidy if: a. the Applicant has his/her tax domicile in Switzerland on the date when the application is submitted; b. a commitment within the meaning of Article 66d paragraph 1 letter b has been signed; c. the completed preparatory course: 1. was included in the official list of preparatory courses for federal professional examinations under Article 66g in the year in which the course began, and 2. was attended no longer than two years before the subsidy application was submitted; d. the eligible course fees per application exceed CHF 3500; e. the provider of the preparatory course issues a certificate indicating that the course participant has paid the eligible course fees and that this certificate has not already been submitted in relation to another application or request; f. according to the last legally binding tax assessment, the applicant was required to pay less than CHF 88 in direct federal taxation. 2 As soon as SERI receives the exam
Para. 4 — SR 616.1
Art. 66f Subsidy amount, upper threshold and eligible course fees
1 The subsidy amount for subsidy applications under Article 66b and for subsidy applications under Article 66d shall be 50 per cent of eligible course fees. 2 The upper threshold for eligible course fees per eligible person and qualification shall be: a. for level-one federal professional examinations: CHF 19 000; b. for level-two federal professional examinations: CHF 21 000. 3 Only the portion of the course fees that is directly used to impart knowledge required for federal professional examinations is considered eligible for a subsidy. Expenses for travel, food and accommodation are not considered as eligible. 4 Course fees that were reduced by virtue of the Intercantonal Agreement of 22 March 2012 on Funding Contributions for Study Programmes at Professional Education Institutions (ICA-PEI) are not eligible.
Para. 4 — May be found on the website of the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) at www.edk.ch > Arbeiten > Finanzierungs-Vereinbarungen > Höhere Fachschulen
Art. 66g List of preparatory courses
1 SERI shall maintain a list of preparatory courses for federal professional examinations. This list shall be included in the Ordinance and published by reference (Art. 5 para. 1 let. c of the Federal Act of 18 June 2004 on the Compilations of Federal Legislation and the Federal Gazette). This list shall be accessible in electronic form. SERI shall update this list on an annual basis. 2 Providers wishing to have their preparatory courses included in this list must satisfy the following conditions: a. their legal domicile must be in Switzerland; and b. provide guarantees that the imposed obligations (Art. 66i) have been met. 3 Providers shall register with SERI and provide the necessary information and supporting documents. 4 SERI shall include a preparatory course in the list if the following prerequisites have been met: a. the course takes place in Switzerland; b. the course content prepares students directly for a federal professional examination and covers all or part of the require
Para. 1 — SR 170.512 Para. 1 — This list may be found at: www.sbfi.admin.ch >Bildung > Höhere Berufsbildung > Bundesbeiträge vorbereitende Kurse BP und HFP > Liste der vorbereitenden Kurse
Art. 66h Spot checks
SERI shall carry out spot checks to verify the provider’s information under Article 66g paragraphs 2 and 4 and Article 66i paragraph 1.
Art. 66i Obligations of course providers and penalties
1 The course provider shall issue a confirmation form to the participant using a template provided by SERI. This confirmation form shall contain an accurate representation of: a. total course fees; b. eligible course fees; c. the eligible course fees paid by the participant. 2 The course provider shall cooperate in the case of spot checks. 3 If a course provider makes false statements, does not use the template referred to in paragraph 1, does not follow instructions or does not deliver the supporting documents required during spot checks by the specified deadline, then SERI may remove the relevant course or all courses offered by the provider from the list. 4 If a course provider intentionally provides false information, SERI may also bar the provider from being included in the list for an additional year.
Art. 66j Delegation of tasks
(Art. 56b and 67 VPETA) 1 SERI may delegate the tasks referred to in this Section to professional organisations. 2 The said delegation of tasks shall take place by virtue of a performance agreement.
Section 7 Reduction or Withholding of Federal Fund
(Art. 58 VPETA)
Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 67
The reduction or withholding of federal subsidies mentioned in Article 58 VPETA shall depend on the severity of the breach of obligations on the part of the subsidy recipient. The reduction may not exceed one-third of the funding granted.
Section 8 VPET Fund
Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2017 5147).
Art. 68 Request for mandatory status
(Art. 60 VPETA) 1 Requests to make a VPET fund mandatory may be submitted by: a. professional organisations whose activities are carried out at national level, for the whole of Switzerland and for all companies in a given economic branch; or b. professional organisations whose activities are carried out at regional level for the companies in the given economic branch in the corresponding region. 2 The request shall be sent to SERI in writing and shall include the following information: a. measures to be encouraged; b. how contributions to the fund shall be obtained; c. name of the branch; d. if necessary, regional boundaries; e. distinction between the services to be rendered by the fund in question compared to other VPET funds. 3 The professional organisation is deemed to have its own training institutions for the purposes of Article 60 paragraph 4 letter b VPETA when it directly or indirectly offers VET, professional education and/or CET courses in the economic branch. 4 – 7 …
Art. 68 — Inserted by No I of the O of 3 Dec. 2010, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 6005). Para. 47 — Repealed by No I of the O of 3 Dec. 2010, with effect from 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 6005).
Art. 68a Collection of contributions
(Art. 60 VPETA) 1 The professional organisations shall bill affiliated companies for their contributions. 4 Companies that already provide services mentioned in Article 60 paragraph 6 VPETA shall pay the difference between the cost of the services already rendered and the contribution to the mandatory VPET fund. The difference shall be calculated on the basis of the proportion of the contribution corresponding to the services in question. 3 The professional organisation shall issue a formal demand for the contribution if a company so requests or does not pay. 4 A legally valid demand for a contribution is equivalent to an enforceable court order in terms of Article 80 of the Federal Act of 11 April 1889 on Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy.
Art. 68a — Inserted by No I of the O of 3 Dec. 2010, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 6005). Para. 4 — SR 281.1
Art. 68b Checks on use, accounting and auditing
(Art. 60 VPETA) 1 The use of sums drawn from the VPET fund shall be checked on a regular basis. 2 Accounting-related matters for VPET funds declared mandatory by the Federal Council is subject to the provisions contained in Articles 957–964 of the Swiss Code of Obligations . 3 The accounts of VPET funds declared mandatory by the Federal Council shall be audited by an independent auditing firm on a yearly basis. Auditor’s Reports shall be sent to SERI for information.
Art. 68b — Inserted by No I of the O of 3 Dec. 2010, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 6005). The previous Art. 68 Abs. 5–7 have become paras. 1–3 of this Article. Para. 2 — SR 220