From Institute to the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET

The Federal Council decided to implement the new Federal Act on SFUVET on 1 August 2021. The National Council and the Council of States unanimously approved the new Act on SFUVET in the autumn session of 2020. The Act provides a comprehensive legal basis for SFUVET’s activities.

Broad-based remit

SFUVET is the university that focuses on topics related to vocational education and training (VET) in all parts of Switzerland. It provides basic and continuing training for VET professionals – from certified vocational school teachers to examination experts – and supports the digital transformation of vocational schools. It runs the largest VET research centre in Switzerland, helps organisations in the world of employment to develop the occupations and supports international cooperation on VET. SFUVET has campuses in Zollikofen near Bern (headquarters), Lausanne and Lugano and off-campus sites in Olten and Zurich.

Accreditation by the end of 2022

SFUVET is a public institution of the Swiss Confederation with its own legal personality. The new act governs the organisation and activities of SFUVET in detail. It also establishes the basis for SFUVET to position itself in the Swiss higher education landscape and to obtain the institutional accreditation as a university in accordance with the Federal Act on the Funding and Coordination of the Higher Education Sector. The accreditation must be obtained by the end of 2022. SFUVET will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the same year. It was founded in 1972 as the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Teacher Training.
«At SFUVET we look to the future with great respect and anticipation and will perform our duties with a strong sense of responsibility for the benefit of vocational education and training, the economy and society,» remarked Barbara Fontanellaz, Director General of SFUVET.