VET/PET system: Around two-thirds of all young people entering the labour market did so through an upper-secondary level VET programme. Their education and training gives them a solid foundation for lifelong learning and opens a wide range of career opportunities. The selection includes over 200 VET programmes, 400 professional college degree programmes and 400 programmes that prepare students for the national professional examinations for either the Federal PET Diploma or Advanced Federal PET Diploma. OPET sees to it that the corresponding legal basis is in place and recognised. OPET works with its partners to improve the quality and permeability of the VET/PET system and to ensure that enough apprenticeship positions are available for combined school/work-based VET programmes. Special emphasis is placed on promoting innovation within the VET/PET system. Finally, OPET works to promote Switzerland's successful combined school/work-based VET model at the international level.

Universities of applied sciences: Within only a few years' time, UAS have positioned themselves as a complementary partner within Switzerland's higher education landscape, next to cantonal universities and the two federal institutes of technology (FITs) in Zurich and Lausanne. UAS bring the academic and business world together, thereby making a major contribution to innovation promotion and knowledge transfer. There are currently nine UAS offering around 300 different Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in many different fields including technology, business, design, health, social work and art. OPET seeks to ensure that UAS degree programmes enjoy a solid reputation both in and outside of Switzerland by drawing attention to the practical and labour-market focus of these programmes. New legislation has been enacted which, for the first time, places all types of Swiss tertiary-level institutions under a single roof. This makes the Swiss higher education landscape easier to manage.

Managing the education system: In May 2006, Swiss voters and the Cantons adopted a series of constitutional articles on education. By virtue of these articles, the Confederation and the Cantons share responsibility for the high quality and permeability of the Swiss education system. Joint federal/cantonal projects have been launched to help improve the way the Swiss education system is managed. These projects include OPET-sponsored projects relating to PISA, the Swiss education server and education monitoring.

Innovation promotion:  By promoting applied research, OPET accelerates the process whereby research results lead to the development of successful products, procedures and services. The Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) plays a pivotal role in this respect by providing grant funding for applied research projects that are jointly run by business and university partners. For the past sixty years, CTI grant funding has been made available for applied research projects in all possible disciplines. Each year about 250 such projects qualify for grant funding. CTI grant funding has had a powerful leveraging effect: for every CHF 1 spent in CTI funding, the Swiss economy gains an additional CHF 1.4. CTI also lends support to start-up companies: so far, 200 new companies have been awarded the CTI Start-up Label and 10,000 people have been trained under the Venturelab programme.

International relations: OPET works to optimise the international positioning of the Swiss VET/PET system, Swiss UAS and Swiss innovation promotion activities. It represents Switzerland in international initiatives, programmes and organisations that are relevant to OPET's areas of responsibility. It strives to achieve international recognition of all Swiss tertiary-level type A and B qualifications and provides interested countries with information about Switzerland's education model. OPET also serves as the point of contact for businesses and research institutions wishing to take part in international innovation programmes.

OPET target groups: 235 000 VET students; 50 000 PET students; 63 000 UAS students;  Over 500 businesses per year working with universities on applied research projects.

OPET partners: The 26 Cantons and their respective education institutions. Around 600 professional organisations; universities of applied sciences; cantonal universities; both FITs.

Resources: The budget for 2009 stands at around CHF 1.16 billion: CHF 603 million for the VET/PET system; CHF 396 million for UAS; CHF 125 million for innovation promotion; and CHF 3 million for the Swiss education landscape. OPET has 191 employees holding what amounts to 145 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. 60% of OPET's employees are women. 34% of the managerial positions are also held by women. OPET has ten VET students doing a paid apprenticeship.