Self-test: Is a course leading to the SVF Certificate in Leadership right for me?

Leadership SVF: What do your first leadership tasks look like in everyday working life?

When starting out in leadership or management functions, managers often continue to carry out their own specialist tasks. They also manage their team or group, plan the tasks and assign the work to the team members. They then check the progress and performance of the work and intervene where and when necessary to make corrections.

As direct supervisors, managers with an SVF certificate in leadership are the first point of contact for the concerns of their team members. They are often also responsible for the performance appraisal of their employees and conduct performance reviews with them. In addition, they are the point of contact for the executive board or senior management and represent both their employees upwards and the company management vis-à-vis their team or group.

How much of the workload is taken up by management tasks depends on the specific position. Employees with the Leadership SVF certificate can spend 10-20% of their working time on leadership tasks in addition to their own work. When leading a larger team or in the case of extensive additional management or project management tasks, the proportion of management tasks can increase up to a full-time position.

Target group and skills: Who is the leadership training with SVF certificate suitable for?

Target group

The leadership training for the Leadership SVF certificate is suitable for

• People who want to improve their leadership skills
• Employees who lead or would like to lead a group or team
• Professionals who already have management responsibilities or would like to take on such responsibilities
• Persons who are aiming for the Federal Professional Examination as a management specialist

Personal requirements

To take on leadership and management tasks, you need the

• Willingness to deal with your own behavior
• Willingness to take on management responsibility
• Social competence and communication skills
• Ability to make decisions and take responsibility

Requirements for admission to continuing education, leadership SVF

Continuing education, further training for the Leadership SVF certificate is open to everyone. There are no specific requirements for participation. However, some schools require one to three years of professional experience or a good knowledge of German (at least B2).

Anyone wishing to take the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Leadership after obtaining the SVF Certificate in Leadership must meet the following requirements:

• Completed vocational training or high school diploma or equivalent education
• and at least three years of professional experience, including at least one year in a management role

or

• At least six years of professional experience, including at least one year in a management position

Content of continuing education, further training and skills taught

Contents of continuing education, further training

The learning content of the continuing education, leadership with SVF certificate is covered in the following 6 modules:

• Self-knowledge
• Self-management
• Presentation
• Team/group leadership
• Communication
• Conflict management

Skills taught

The SVF leadership training course provides participants with the foundations for taking on leadership tasks in a team or group. You will learn to critically reflect on your personal attitude and leadership behavior and adapt it to the respective situations. The Leadership SVF certificate attests to your ability to communicate constructively, deal with work conflicts professionally, motivate yourself and others and create a framework for effective and efficient work.

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The costs for the Leadership SVF course are usually payable at the beginning of the course. It is often possible to pay in installments.

You must expect the following costs:

• Course fees and school materials: approx. CHF 4,500-5,300*
• sometimes additional costs for enrollment, internal exams, etc. (ask the schools for the actual costs)
• Fee for the SVF examinations: CHF 2000 in total (as of January 2026)

* Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for Federal Professional Examinations have been financially supported by the federal government. Anyone who, after obtaining the Leadership SVF certificate, continues their training within 8 years to become a management specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education will receive half of the course costs mentioned here back from the federal government upon application after passing the Federal Professional Examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contribution will also be paid out in advance. You can find further informationhere.

Duration, teaching form, teaching times and effort Self-study time

Continuing education, further training for the Leadership SVF certificate ispart-timeand lasts for most schoolsabout six months. Some schools offer two-month intensive courses, others have courses that extend over a period of up to one year.

The continuing education, further trainingClassroom teaching(lessons on site),Blended learning(combined on site and online) or completelyonlineoffered.

TheClassroom teachingusually takes place on two evenings or one day a week (often Saturday) or one evening a week plus block teaching.

For theSelf-learning time(guided homework and independent learning) in addition to the classroom lessons, 4-6 hours per week are to be expected.

Degree and diploma

The Leadership SVF examinations take place externally, under the supervision of the SVF. Many schools conduct internal examinations beforehand and - if the examinations are passed - issue the school's own certificates for the successful internal leadership qualification.

All six modules are tested in the Leadership SVF examinations:

• Self-knowledgeIndividual interview with experts on the basis of a short biography submitted in advance (30 min.)
• Presentationoral individual examination/presentation on the basis of prepared (physical or electronic) documents (max. 12 min. + 3 min. media preparation/set-up)
• CommunicationOral examination on a given "mini-case" (total 30 min.: 15 min. preparation mini-case, 15 min. examination interview) plus written examination (60 min.)
• Self-management,Team/group leadership,Conflict managementIndividual oral examination (behavioral interview, 45 minutes for the 3 modules) on the basis of a previously submitted written report

Diploma 

Those who pass the SVF examinations receive the SVF Certificate in Leadership. The certificate is credited within the following 8 years towards admission to the Federal Professional Examination in Leadership.