Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions to Training Costs in Basic Vocational Education and Training (Vocational School Agreement, BFSV) (Berufsfachschulvereinbarung, BFSV) - Purpose (BFSV)

1. The agreement regulates the compensation of the contracting cantons for the costs of vocational education as well as the costs of full-time vocational training programs.

2. It specifies the areas for which separate procedures apply and regulates the jurisdiction.

3. It thus contributes to a coordinated vocational education policy.

1

Offer Category | Scope | Notes | Fee per School Year (Proposal)

--- | --- | --- | ---

Bridge Offers | School component 1-2.5 days per week | | 6,000

Bridge Offers | School component 3-5 days per week | | 12,000

Vocational School | Individual Annual Lesson | 1-7 Annual Lessons | 400 per Annual Lesson

Vocational School | Part-time | Dual Apprenticeship (1-2 days), with or without accompanying vocational baccalaureate3 | 6,000

Vocational School | Full-time | Training Workshops, Commercial Apprenticeship School (HMS), Basic Apprenticeship Year (including inter-company courses) | 12,000

Vocational Baccalaureate after Apprenticeship | Full-time 1 Year | | 12,000

Vocational Baccalaureate after Apprenticeship | Part-time, 2 Years | | 6,000

Inter-company Courses (üK) | Lesson Flat Rate | Clarification by Cantonal Formation Delegates Conference (Art. 6) |

Intercantonal Specialized Courses (IFK) | | Clarification by Cantonal Formation Delegates Conference (Art. 6) |

Qualification Procedures | | Clarification by Cantonal Formation Delegates Conference (Art. 6) |

Catch-up Education | | Clarification by Cantonal Formation Delegates Conference (Art. 6) |

Individual Guidance in Two-year Basic Education | | Clarification by Cantonal Formation Delegates Conference (Art. 6) |

2. These contributions include a flat-rate infrastructure cost amounting to 10% of the net operating costs (in accordance with Article 5 paragraph 2 letter b).

1. Reference Date for Determining the Number of Students is November 15.

1. The agreement applies to the area of basic vocational education and training according to Articles 12 to 25 of the Federal Act on Vocational and Professional Education and Training of December 13, 2002 (Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act, VPETA; SR [412.10](https://db.clex.ch/link/Bund/412.10/en)).

2. It encompasses the preparation for basic vocational education and training, the entire school-based instruction, as well as the full-time vocational training programs subject to the Federal Act on Vocational and Professional Education and Training.

3. Two or more cantons may establish regulations deviating from this agreement.

1. The contracting cantons shall pay uniform contributions for apprentices at out-of-canton training institutions for vocational education as well as for full-time vocational training.

2. The allocation of training programs to the areas of full-time schools or vocational education in the dual system is noted in the annex.

3. The host cantons shall grant apprentices, whose attendance at school is governed by this agreement, the same legal status as their own apprentices.

4. The contracting cantons shall ensure that the provisions of this agreement are applied mutatis mutandis when apprentices from the contracting cantons attend schools that are run by municipalities, municipal associations, professional associations, businesses, or charitable organizations.

1. The cost of professional instruction at vocational schools is the responsibility of the canton where the instruction takes place. This canton decides in agreement with the canton where the school is located on an assignment to an out-of-canton vocational school. The application is made according to the practice of the canton where the school is located.

2. For students from full-time schools and from professional maturity schools following an apprenticeship, the canton of residence at the time training commences is responsible for the payment, provided it approves attendance at an out-of-canton educational institution. The approval must be obtained with the application.

3. The following shall apply as the canton of residence for students

a) the canton of origin for Swiss citizens whose parents reside abroad or who themselves reside abroad without parents: in the case of multiple cantons of origin, the most recently acquired citizenship applies, subject to paragraph d;

b) the assigned canton for mature refugees and stateless persons who are parentless or whose parents reside abroad, subject to paragraph d;

c) the canton of civil law residence for mature foreigners who are parentless or whose parents reside abroad; subject to paragraph d;

d) the canton in which mature students have lived for at least two consecutive years and have been financially independent without being in training simultaneously; engagement in gainful activity also includes managing a family household and performing military service;

e) in all other cases, the canton in which the civil law residence of the parents is located or the seat of the last responsible guardianship authority.

1. Lump sum contributions, graded according to the training model (full-time/part-time/single lesson), apply to the compensation.

2. The following principles apply to determining the amount of contributions

a) The average training costs per learner per year are determined. The relevant factors for setting the contributions are the average net training costs, meaning the operating and infrastructure costs minus any tuition fees and contributions from third parties. For full-time schools, federal contributions are also deducted.

b) For the infrastructure expenses, a flat-rate percentage of the sum of the net operating costs according to letter a is credited. This percentage is specified in the annex.

c) The contributions under the agreement amount to 90 percent of the determined average net training costs per learner per year.

3. The adjustment of the contributions takes place annually, with effect on the year after next.

4. The contribution is owed for a full school year at a time. The reference date for determining the number of students is specified in the annex.

1. The Swiss Conference of Vocational Education and Training Offices (SBBK) is responsible as a specialist conference of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) for submitting proposals to the Conference of Contracting Cantons regarding additional services according to paragraph 2.

2. Additional services that are settled between the cantons include, in particular

a) intercompany courses;

b) intercantonal specialist courses;

c) qualification procedures;

d) remedial education;

e) individual support in the two-year basic education.

3. The Conference of Contracting Cantons sets out the principles and contributions for the compensation of services according to paragraph 2. These are listed in the annex. Paragraph 4 remains reserved.

4. The Contracting Cantons can limit the compensation for services according to paragraph 2 to the principles applicable in their own canton.

1. The Conference of the Participating Cantons is composed of a representative from each canton that has acceded to the agreement. The federation may be represented in an advisory capacity.

2. It is responsible for the following tasks

a) determining the contributions according to Article 5;

b) establishing the regulations and amount of contributions for the compensation of services according to Article 6, paragraph 2.

3. Resolutions pursuant to paragraph 2, letters a and b, require a majority of two-thirds of the conference members.

4. The preparation of matters for the Conference of the Participating Cantons is the responsibility of the Board of the EDK.

1. The Secretariat is managed by the General Secretariat of the EDK.

2. The Secretariat is responsible for the following tasks in particular

a) the regular collection of costs;

b) the review and preparation of proposals for the adjustment of contributions;

c) the provision of information to the contracting cantons;

d) coordination tasks; and

e) the regulation of procedural matters.

3. To advise the Secretariat and prepare proposals for the conference of the contracting cantons, the board of the EDK shall establish a working group.

4. The costs of the Secretariat for the implementation of this agreement shall be borne by the contracting cantons according to the population. They will be billed annually.

1. In the event of any disputes arising from the application or interpretation of this agreement between the contracting cantons, an arbitration tribunal shall be established.

2. This tribunal shall consist of three members appointed by the parties. If the parties cannot agree, the tribunal shall be appointed by the Executive Board of the EDK.

3. The provisions of the Concordat on Arbitration dated March 27, 1969 (SR 279) shall apply.

4. The arbitration tribunal's decision is final.

1. The agreement shall enter into force when 15 cantons have acceded to it, but not earlier than the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year.

1. Termination of the Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions by Cantons to Educational and Training Costs in Vocational Education of August 30, 2001.

The Conference of the Cantons party to the Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions by Cantons to Educational and Training Costs in Vocational Education of August 30, 2001, shall decide on the date of termination of the aforementioned agreement.

1. The agreement may be terminated with a notice period of two years, effective as of September 30, by providing a written declaration to the office, but not before five years of membership have elapsed.

1. If a canton terminates the agreement, its obligations under this agreement shall remain in effect for individuals who are in training at the time of withdrawal.

1. The Principality of Liechtenstein may accede to this Agreement based on its own legislation. It is entitled to all the rights and obligations of an agreement canton.