Self-test "Instructor with federal certificate": Is this course the right one for me?
Test here whether the job profile "Trainer with a federal certificate of proficiency" suits you and whether a part-time preparatory course is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of an instructor with a federal certificate look like?
Trainers with a federal certificate work part-time or full-time in the training and further education of adults. They often work for several employers on a self-employed basis or are responsible for in-house training at larger companies. Training and coaching people is the main focus of their work. The main task of trainers is the development and planning of training measures, as well as their implementation and evaluation. To create training sequences, they either draw on existing curricula or design individual course concepts. Their tasks also include researching and providing suitable teaching materials and aids. Their teaching activities also include advising, supporting and encouraging individual learners, as well as preparing for and following up on examinations.
The tasks of trainers with a federal certificate are
- Organizing events and follow-up support
- Train employees
- Conducting courses, seminars and conferences for educational and leisure centers, clubs, associations and trade unions to impart theoretical and practical expertise
- Planning training programs and developing new training sequences
- Evaluation of training needs for companies, institutions or specific target groups
- Development of suitable training sequences
- Consideration of technical, methodological-didactic as well as educational, organizational and financial framework conditions
- Define learning content and learning objectives with the client
- Developing and designing training materials, maintaining web-based training tools, advertising and communication materials
- Competent support for individuals and groups
- Accompany, motivate and support learners in the learning process and check their progress
- Other tasks: administrative work such as preparing for exams, correspondence, attending training courses and courses to further your own education
(Note: The weighting of the individual areas of responsibility can vary greatly depending on the company and job profile).
Typical functions are
- Trainer / Instructor
- Lecturers
- Course instructor
- Trainer
- Training supervisor / training supervisor
Question 1:
Does the job meet your expectations? Can you imagine working in adult education?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with the training course for trainers. We wish you lots of fun and success.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing your studies, take a look at theEducational counseling offerfrom Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch
If you don't like all of the trainer activities, think about which ones interest you the most.
Then take a look at job advertisements. You may find some that only require the activities that interest you the most.
Or take a look at the descriptions of similar professions. You may find a degree here that more closely matches your interests, for example:
- Vocational trainer (certificate)= Formerly master teacher course
- Vocational school teacher for in-company training (certificate)
- Vocational training specialist (BP)
- SVEB-1 course instructor
- Training Manager (HFP)
If you don't like the instructor activities at all, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities.
OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Target group and skills: For whom is the professional examination "Instructor with a federal certificate of proficiency" suitable? What qualities and skills are required?
The "Trainer" courses are aimed at:
- People from adult education (with educational practice)
- People who want to specialize in in-company training within their company
- Education experts
- Trainers in companies and organizations
- Trainers of apprentices
- Line managers and employees with training functions
- HR professionals
- Self-employed in the field of adult education
Important qualities and skills for the profession of trainer are
- High level of expertise in own specialist area
- Enjoy working with adults and teaching
- Interest in educational issues
- Good general education
- Good communication skills
- Ability to deal with conflict
- Confident appearance
- Pedagogical interest
- Organizational talent
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups of the further training course for trainers?
Great! Then you belong to the target group and should complete a trainer course.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups of people, you cannot apply directly for the federal certificate as an instructor. There are numerous opportunities to enter the field of adult education. Take a look at the followingPagewith various courses from suitable providers. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the field of adult education for the instructor course, then look for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. If you know someone in your private or professional environment who is already working in this field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills as a trainer, you will probably not be happy in this role in adult education. Look out for further training opportunities that focus less on technical processing.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role with a lot of responsibility, it is best to talk to experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination in adult education:
Persons are admitted to the final examination (federal professional examination) as trainers if they have:
- has a federal certificate of proficiency, a baccalaureate (specialized baccalaureate or baccalaureate from a grammar school) or an equivalent qualification,
- at least 4 years of part-time practice with a total of at least 300 practical hours in the education sector
- and has the required valid module certificates, including proof of at least 16 hours of group supervision in relation to the training practice.
Some schools also require a personal aptitude, a professional aptitude, a federal course certificate for vocational trainers (Art. 44 BBV), knowledge of German at level B2, enjoyment of digital forms of teaching and learning or the willingness to lead the learning process in self-study and to engage in a personal process.
Candidates will be informed in writing no later than 15 working days after the QSK meeting whether they meet the requirements for the professional examination for trainers - in the event of rejection, including reasons and information on legal remedies. After admission, the candidate must submit the qualification dossier within 12 months. After this period has expired, the candidate must re-register for the central review.
Note: In some cases, it is also possible to start training as a trainer without professional experience or with only 75 hours - enquire in detail at the selected training institute. However, initial experience in accompanying adults (learners/students/employees) will clearly benefit your learning success. It is therefore strongly recommended that you carry out your own practical or learning support at the latest parallel to attending the training course.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the federal instructor examination? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
Great! Then you meet the instructor requirements. You can start the course and are admitted to the subsequent professional examination.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for trainers, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theSVEB Swiss Association for Continuing Education.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the vocational examination for trainers, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. Here you can findHelpful informationin addition
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in technical processing, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the vocational trainer examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP. Here you can findmore information.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Or take a look at the "technical-commercial clerk" course, which can be an intermediate step on the way to the professional examination:
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for trainers, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theSVEB Swiss Association for Continuing Education.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the vocational examination for trainers, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. Here you can findHelpful informationin addition
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in technical processing, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the vocational trainer examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP. Here you can findmore information.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Learning material and contents of the trainer course:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the federal certificate for trainers is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the SVEB Swiss Association for Continuing Education.
The training content is divided into the following modules and steps:
- Old system since 2015:
- Level 1 basic qualification:
- Module AdA-FA-M1: Conducting learning events with adults (SVEB certificate course instructor, 13.5 ECTS)
- AdA FA-PA-E: From practical support to course management
- Ada FA-PA: Carrying out learning support with individuals
- Module AdA-FA-M1: Conducting learning events with adults (SVEB certificate course instructor, 13.5 ECTS)
- Level 2 Specializations leading to the federal certificate for trainers:
- Module AdA-FA-M2: Supporting group processes in learning events (120 learning hours, 4 ECTS)
- Module AdA-FA-M3: Supporting individual learning processes (82 learning hours, 2.5 ECTS)
- Module AdA-FA-M4: Designing educational programs for adults (130 learning hours, 4.5 ECTS incl. supervision)
- Module AdA-FA-M5: Didactically designing learning events for adults (138 learning hours, 4.5 ECTS incl. supervision)
- Supervision (must be attended parallel to module 4 or 5, 5 sessions, min. 16h)
- Level 1 basic qualification:
- According to the new Ada construction kit from 2023:
- Group module: The "SVEB-Zertifikat Ausbilder / Ausbilderin - Durchführung von Lernveranstaltungen" (formerly "Kursleiter/in") or the "SVEB-Zertifikat Ausbilder / Ausbilderin - Einzelbegleitung" (formerly "Praxisausbilder/in") are at the beginning of your further training (14 days).
- Advanced modules (can also be attended in parallel with in-depth modules):
- Accompanying module: Advanced module to accompany learning groups and individual learners (7 days)
- Didactics module: Advanced module for the didactic conception and design of learning events for adults (7 days)
- Three modules that can be attended simultaneously
- Transversal module: do not plan too early in the training to develop professional understanding in the working environment (1 day / 5 half days)
- Networking module: at the end of the training to design and facilitate learning transfer (2 days / 3 half days)
- a specialization module of your choice (can be taken at the same time as advanced modules):
- Accompanying group processes in learning events (4 days)
- Conceptualize and design online learning offers didactically (4 days)
- Competence-oriented planning and design of qualification procedures (4 days)
- Professional examination for trainers
Worth knowing:
- The time and costs involved in the new and old systems are roughly the same.
- Training can be started and continued in the new or old system (valid for up to 10 years).
- There is aTransition to the new system- e.g. with Module 1 from the old system, you can go straight into the advanced modules. If you have the old Module 2, you can omit the in-depth module. If you have the old Module 3, you can omit the advanced module "Accompaniment".
- The specialist certificate (in the new system) is obtained via an external professional examination.
- Competence orientation, emphasis on the transfer of learning, lifelong learning and the understanding of roles are innovations that correspond to the future-oriented understanding of education.
- Digital learning settings such as blended learning and moderated e-learning support the learning process in the new variant and ensure up-to-date knowledge transfer.
Question 4:
Are you interested in the contents of the trainer course and would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! If you are interested in the course content, this could be the best educational option for you. Here's another tip: Find out from the schools about the exact training structure and concept of the instructor course on offer. These are aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary prospects.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this federal certificate, then the instructor training course is probably not the right course for you. Then take a look at other training and further education courses in this area. You may find a course that suits you better due to the content taught. You will find inspirationhere.
Obviously the typical areas of responsibility of trainers with a federal certificate are not your world. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of training in adult education:
Depending on the provider and the duration of the course, the costs of the further training course for instructors with a federal certificate vary slightly. On average, these amounts are to be expected:
- Course fees:between CHF 8'500.- and CHF 13'900.-
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a 10% discount on the costs of training courses and courses offered by individual training providers - Basic certificate SVEB certificate instructor:between 3,200 and 4,500 for the organization of learning events or individual support
- Examination fees:CHF 680 (as at: 2023)
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the instructor examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, hotel fees, seminar flat rate, supervision, intensive exam training, simulation exams, registration fees, school diplomas and interim degrees are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the Technical Business Management Assistant further training course.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of this course can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% of the course costs paid (max. CHF 9,500) after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance between CHF 8,500 and CHF 13,900 for the course and CHF 680 for the exam, depending on the course and provider?
Great! Here's another tip: If you would be able to pay the entire amount for the instructor course in advance, many schools will grant you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for training as a trainer. Then find out from your employer whether they will contribute to the trainer costs and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual trainer costs you would have to expect. Then find out from your employer whether they will contribute to the costs and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of teaching hours and learning effort for further training as a trainer:
- The instructor training course has a modular structure (i.e. some of the skills are assessed in module examinations prior to the professional examination and are only tested across modules in the final examination) and lasts 2 to 3 semesters while working. It comprises approx. 35 to 38 teaching days (including 14 days for the basic certificate). The total number of lessons for the five modules is approx. 115. Due to the modular nature of the course, the training can be arranged flexibly in terms of time. The SVEB certificate is valid indefinitely - modules 2 - 5 must be completed within five years.
- Lesson times vary depending on the provider of the training to become a trainer. As a rule, lessons take place in full days, evenings, half days, block courses or seminars.
- Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the further training course for trainers, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. As a precaution, we recommend that you allow at least 7 - 10 hours per week. In addition, you will be required to attend approx. 75 hours of your own classes during the course.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. These are important aspects on the way to successfully completing your training as an instructor. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for face-to-face teaching and the homework for further training?
Great!
Tip for instructor self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A well-organized study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the further training course for trainers over more than three semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can free up time elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of the training course?
Degree, diploma and title:
Once the Quality Assurance Committee (QA Committee) has approved and confirmed your admission, the assignment for the performance dossier will be sent to you at least 12 weeks before the submission deadline. You will be informed of the exact date of the assignment in a separate invitation in good time. Once the performance dossier has been checked by the examination experts, the examination results are determined and approved by the QSK in a legally binding manner. The result is then communicated in the examination application via the candidate's personal profile. The assignment and QSK meeting take place quarterly at the required intervals.
The degree varies depending on the system chosen:
- Old system trainer since 2015:
- The proof of competence for SVEB modules 2 - 5 must be submitted by the participants together with the SVEB 1 certificate to the office of the Swiss Association for Continuing Education (SVEB) for central verification.
- As the only federal professional examination in Switzerland, candidates do not have to take a written examination when applying for the certificate. Instead of a final professional examination, aCentral verification (ZÜ)of the evidence of competence submitted in the module courses. The evidence of competence submitted in the qualification dossier and the corresponding assessments of the lecturers of the modules are second assessed by experts mandated by the SVEB.
- After a successful examination, the SVEB issues the federal certificate "Instructor".
- According to the new Ada construction kit from 2023:
- Performance assessment: Performance assessments are carried out in each of the modules. These usually consist of written examinations, presentations on case studies and case examples, individual or group work and follow-up assignments.
- at least 300 hours of teaching experience over at least 4 years (teaching at least 3 people with a minimum age of 16 years, 100 hours of which can be individual lessons and learning support for individuals)
- ThePassing the final examination"Trainer" by setting tasks for the preparation of the written performance dossier and an online audit
Diploma and title "Trainer"
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Instructor with federal certificate" or "Instructor with federal certificate".
- In French: "Formateur avec brevet fédéral", "Formatrice avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Formatore con attestato professionale federale", "Formatrice con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Trainer in Adult Leaming with Federal Diploma of Professiona! Education and Training" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Question 7:
Do I have the confidence to pass the central examination of the qualification dossier for the Federal PET Diploma?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification such as technical business management assistant with a federal certificate:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the subject and active participation in lessons Technical Business Management Assistant
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: Details on the federal professional examinationhere.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend the instructor training course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or the sponsor of the vocational examination for trainers, theSVEB Swiss Association for Continuing Education. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to the new qualification as an instructor with a federal certificate:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the subject matter of the technical business management assistant training at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation
If you are not at all confident that you can pass the Technical Business Management Assistant final examination, arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or the sponsor of the vocational examination for trainers, theSVEB Swiss Association for Continuing Education. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
No, this course for the federal certificate as an instructor (BP) does not suit you. What a pity? Perhaps not, because there are so many other opportunities for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Instructor with a federal certificate is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as an instructor with a federal certificate does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The instructor course, training, further education is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Instructor with a federal certificate of proficiency"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Instructor with a federal certificate of proficiency"
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Instructor with a federal certificate of proficiency"