Management specialist: Experience report by Snjezana Zahner - the head of the BVS training center explains how this management and leadership training course prepares you specifically for a management position or greatly expands your leadership skills.

Who is the Management Specialist course particularly suitable for?

In my opinion, the Leadership Specialist continuing education program is suitable for individuals who hold a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFZ); this can be a qualification from various vocational fields. The program can also be completed without an EFZ. We offer preparatory courses to help participants get ready. Course participants may also have leadership experience, but this is not required.

Who is the target group for the Management Specialist course?

The management specialist course is designed for professionals who ...

• who aspire to a management position
• prepare specifically for a management position
• already hold a management position

What are the admission requirements for this continuing education, further training?

To take the Federal Professional Examination, candidates must have completed the required SVF modules and have the prescribed management experience. The specific admission requirements are governed by the currently valid examination regulations.

How long does the continuing education, further training course take and how much does it cost?

The Management Specialist continuing education, further training program lasts two semesters to complete all modules. The course fees total CHF 8,620, plus exam fees of CHF 1,850. Preparation for the Federal Professional Examination to become a management specialist takes an additional semester and costs CHF 3,180, plus examination fees of CHF 850. Under certain conditions, federal grants may be applied for to cover preparatory courses for federal examinations. The federal government reimburses 50% of eligible course fees up to the applicable maximum limit. Whether and to what extent a specific program or course component is eligible depends, among other things, on the course’s inclusion on the registration list and the applicant’s personal qualifications.

What are the examinations for obtaining the degree?

The management module exams for the management specialist can be taken at the BVS Training Center (all written exams). The leadership module exams are administered by the SVF Association (externally). The Federal Professional Examination includes:

• Written exam: a four-hour case study with interconnected and module-integrated content
• Oral exam: an approximately 90-minute discussion covering content from the entire module, with a focus on leadership

What skills can be acquired with the management specialist training?

The following skills can be acquired with the management specialist training:

• the "soft" factors in leadership, such as
  • Get to know yourself better as a leader
  • get organized in everyday working life
  • Recognize and resolve conflicts
• Management topics for management specialists such as
  • Financial management (being able to interpret figures, how is the company doing financially?)
  • BUSINESS STUDIES
  • ECONOMICS
  • Personnel management
  • Labor law

What advantages does the St. Gallen school location offer students?

The BVS school site is located in the middle of the city of St. Gallen. It is easily accessible by train and bus. The school is a short walk from the train station. There are also numerous shopping and catering facilities in the immediate vicinity. Those arriving by car will find many nearby parking garages or can even park in the school's own small underground garage if they reserve in advance.

What are the goals of the BVS?

Practice-oriented continuing education, further training and qualifications at various levels are the goal of BVS's offerings. This means that we offer our students educational opportunities for qualifications ranging from internal school diplomas to Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) and College of Higher Education. In addition, we support and accompany our training participants and students personally and individually on their educational path. Continuing education, further training for management specialists in particular offers a good introduction to higher professional education and numerous opportunities for further development. Our training programs cover the following areas at various levels:

• Accounting
• HR Management
• Logistics
• Guidance
• Marketing, sales, communication
• Generalist continuing education, further training
• Business school
• Real estate

Why should students choose BVS as their educational institute?

The well-being of our participants is our top priority. We want our students on the continuing education, further training course for management specialists to be successful and achieve their goals. Individual learning support is also available if required. BVS is often perceived as "familiar", although we are not a small school. You benefit from the following advantages during your continuing education, further training at BVS:

• Central location
• Direct contact person per course
• Individual approach to problems and concerns
• Long-standing, highly experienced lecturers from the field
• Participants do not need to travel externally for the management module examinations, they can take these examinations in familiar surroundings. This is because all management module examinations for management specialists can be taken at the BVS training center.
• Many years of experience in running the management specialist course. Courses have been starting every spring and fall since this Federal Professional Examination was introduced. A number of examination experts help us to ensure that we are always up to date.