Continuing education and training (CET) takes places in different contexts. Accordingly, there is a variety of private, state, in-company, non-profit and profit-oriented CET providers. These include, for instance:

• public providers (e.g. universities, universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education, colleges of higher education, and VET schools),
• private, profit-oriented providers,
• companies,
• private, not-for-profit providers (e.g. non-profit organisations, adult education centres, parent education organisations etc.),
• social partnership-based, political or denominational or non-denominational providers (professional organisations, trade unions, cantonal churches etc.),
• associations and umbrella organisations,
• continuing education and training in self-organised groups.

The vast majority of continuing education and training institutions are privately operated and privately funded. Some state support may be provided, depending on the context in which continuing education and training takes place. In the field of job-related CET, companies play a key role, either by offering in-company CET courses, or by participating in the continuing education and training of their staff.

The Swiss Federation for Adult Education (SVEB), the umbrella organisation for  general and job-related CET, promotes cooperation among CET providers, raises public awareness for CET, and promotes optimum framework conditions in CET. The SVEB is the maintaining body for the eduQua quality label, which was specifically created for CET providers.

The SVEB has also developed a three-stage certification process for trainers in adult education. Those involved in CET can obtain a SVEB Certificate, a Swiss Federal Certificate or a Swiss Federal Diploma.