Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for management specialists with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

Target group:The "Management Specialist (BP)" course and professional examination are suitable for

• Professionals who already perform management tasks or will do so in the foreseeable future
• Self-employed people who want to expand their management skills and develop their business knowledge
• Managers who want to develop their leadership skills

Management experts should have the followingPersonal characteristics and skillshave:

• High operational readiness
• Precise working method
• Ability to work in a team
• Leadership skills
• Analytical understanding
• Communicative and organizational skills
• Flexibility
• Sense of responsibility
• Independence

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for management specialists with a federal certificate:

To be able to take the professional examination for management specialists, you must

• Have completed at least three years of basic vocational training (EFZ), a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification

And

• At least 3 years of professional experience, including at least one year as a team or group leader

Or

• Have at least 6 years of professional experience, including at least one year as a team or group leader.

As well as

• Have the required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence (SVF-ASFC Management and Leadership certificate)

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection.

Note: Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for management specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/application for the examination.

Subject matter and content of the training

The subject matter and content of the preparatory courses for the federal professional examination for management specialists with a federal certificate are based on the specifications of the sponsoring body of the professional examination, the Swiss Association for Management Training SVF-ASFC.

The following modules are the focus of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for management specialists:

Leadership:

• Communication (oral and written)
• Presentation
• Self-management
• Self-knowledge
• Team leadership / Group leadership

Management:

• Personnel Management
• General Management
• Change management

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider. The following costs are to be expected for the 3-semester in-service training to become a management specialist with a federal certificate:

• Course feesbetween CHF 9,730 and CHF 12,700, of which you will receive around 50% back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result)*.
• Examination feesThe examination fee is set by the sponsoring body of the professional examination and currently amounts to CHF 900.- The examination fee is paid by the candidates after confirmation of admission.
• Extra costs:Some providers charge extra for teaching materials, training documents and simulation tests. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• Duration:The modular further training to become a management specialist with a federal certificate lasts 3 semesters and is completed on a part-time basis.
• Lesson times:The course takes place on different days and times depending on the school. As a rule, two evenings per week and Saturday mornings.
• Teaching format: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 in-service training concept, 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 prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

The professional examination for management specialists with a federal certificate takes place annually if at least 20 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be taken in German, French or Italian.

At least 20 days before the start of the final examination, the candidates will receive an invitation with the examination program and permitted or required aids as well as a list of experts.

The final examination for the federal certificate for management specialists comprises the following cross-module examination parts:

1st case study (written, 4 hours)

In this part of the exam, candidates must demonstrate their skills using a practical example. Based on the initial situation, they develop a corresponding action plan or solutions.

2. leading a team meeting with reflection discussion (oral with written sequence, approx. 1.5 hours incl. preparation time)

Based on the team meeting, the candidates must draw up a plan of action. This action plan is then also part of the subsequent reflection meeting with a panel of experts.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Management Specialist with Federal Certificate".

• In French: "Spécialiste de la conduit d`équipe avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Specialiste nella direzione di un team con attestator professionale federale"
• In English: "Specialist in Leadership and Management with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training" (Attention: No protected title only a recommendation)