Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER
The food and beverage sector has suffered greatly during the pandemic. SECO implemented a wide range of economic assistance measures.
The EAER defines framework conditions for the economy and the labour market. It sets the rules that apply in the private sector and in agriculture, and represents the interests of the Swiss economy abroad. It is responsible for organising vocational and professional education and training and promotes research. The EAER also has the task of making sure that the country is supplied with essential goods.
Member of the Federal Council since 2016.
Education plays a key role in harnessing the opportunities of digital transformation.
Priorities of the EAER in 2022
Compared to some other countries, Switzerland has come through the corona pandemic pretty well in economic terms. The government's support measures such as the COVID-19 loans, short-time work compensation, the corona loss of earnings compensation scheme and hardship assistance have all helped. The Federal Council's transition strategy is now aimed at getting back to normal levels of economic development: in addition to a recovery programme for the tourism industry, the EAER is applying tried and tested economic policy instruments – such as location promotion and regional policy.
Even in normal times, one of the EAER's core tasks is to ensure good framework conditions so that companies can thrive and create attractive jobs. Digital transformation is both an opportunity and a challenge. The Federal Council wants to take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Among other things, the EAER is pushing ahead with the expansion of electronic administrative procedures (eGovernment). Education plays a key role here, which is why the EAER is promoting young talent at various levels in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), which are so important for innovation. As of the 2022 school year, IT will be a compulsory subject at all baccalaureate schools.
Digital and other innovative technologies also offer many opportunities in the agriculture and food sector. Not least, they enable the efficient use of resources. The EAER is committed to ensuring that agriculture makes a significant contribution to food security in Switzerland through sustainable production.
Expenses EAER 2020 (CHF)
12.22 bn
Staff (FTEs) EAER 2020
2,152
Organisation chart EAER
General Secretariat GS-EAER
Secretary General: Nathalie Goumaz
www.wbf.admin.ch
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
State Secretary:
Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch
www.seco.admin.ch
State Secretariat for Education, Research and
Innovation SERI
State Secretary:
Martina Hirayama
www.seri.admin.ch
Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG
Director: Christian
Hofer
www.foag.admin.ch
Federal Office for National Economic Supply FONES
Delegate: Werner
Meier
www.fones.admin.ch
Federal Office for Housing FOH
Director: Martin
Tschirren
www.bwo.admin.ch
Federal Office for Civilian Service CIVI
Director: Christoph
Hartmann
www.zivi.admin.ch
Autonomous organisations
Office of the Price Supervisor
Price Supervisor:
Stefan Meierhans
www.preisueberwacher.admin.ch
Competition Commission COMCO
Director: Patrik
Ducrey
www.weko.admin.ch
Board of the Federal Institutes of Technology ETH
President of the ETH
Board: Michael O. Hengartner
www.ethrat.ch
Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and
Training SFIVET
Director: Barbara
Fontanellaz
www.sfivet.swiss
Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse
Director: Annalise
Eggimann
www.innosuisse.ch
