How do I finance my training or continuing education, further training?

Participants in courses in preparation for the federal examinations will receive 50% of the course fees back, regardless of whether they pass the federal examinations or not. This applies to courses that conclude with a federal certificate or a federal diploma.

Example 1:

The course for the Federal Professional Examination "Logistics Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education" costs CHF 13,000 at one school plus teaching materials and course materials charged by the course provider (eligible costs). This amount (CHF 13,000 plus teaching materials and course materials) must be transferred to the school by the participants.

After completing the federal examinations, graduates can claim back 50% of the course fees and the costs of teaching materials from the federal government, i.e. CHF 6,500 plus 50% for teaching materials and course materials. After the federal examinations have been taken, the federal contributions can be applied for, regardless of whether the examination has been successfully completed or not.

The maximum amount of the federal contribution for courses with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education is CHF 9,500. The examination fees, meals, travel expenses, accommodation and are not financed by the federal government.

Example 2:

The course for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) "Sales Manager with Federal Diploma" costs CHF 15,000 at one school plus teaching materials and course materials charged by the course provider (eligible costs). This amount (CHF 15,000 plus teaching materials and course materials) must be transferred to the school by the participants.

After completing the federal examinations, graduates can claim back 50% of the course fees and the costs of teaching materials from the federal government, i.e. CHF 6,500 plus 50% for teaching materials and course materials. After the federal examinations have been taken, the federal contributions can be applied for, regardless of whether the examination has been successfully completed or not.

The maximum amount of the federal contribution for courses with a federal diploma is CHF 10,500. Examination fees, meals, travel expenses, accommodation and are not financed by the federal government.

For further information see: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/de/home/bildung/bwb/hbb/bundesbeitraege.html

Courses at the College of Higher Education are subsidized by the cantons at around 50%. For courses with a high level of interest (e.g. "Health"), the cantonal contributions can be increased to up to 90% of the average costs. Most of the remaining costs are covered by tuition fees.

No subsidies are provided for postgraduate studies (NDS) such as the "Dipl. Online Marketing Manager NDS CHE" course.

Tuition fees at Universities are heavily subsidized. Tuition fees at the University of Zurich are currently CHF 800 per semester.

Many employers are positive about continuing education, further training and are willing to make a financial or time commitment as long as the training brings clear benefits to the company.

Financial participation on the part of employers is often linked to a time and financial commitment. In many cases, this is agreed in such a way that employees commit to continuing education, further training with the employer for a certain period of time, such as two years. If the employment contract is terminated by the employee within these two years, the employee must repay the employer's participation on a pro rata basis.

The social environment is generally very positive when it comes to requests for support for continuing education, further training because they consider investments in education to be very sensible and sustainable. The chances of receiving financial support from the social environment are therefore good.

There are several foundations that provide financial support for people interested in education, training or continuing education, further training. These people often benefit from free services such as the implementation, support and budgeting of educational projects. In addition, these foundations often arrange low-interest educational loans (must be repaid) or scholarships (do not have to be repaid).

• Example: https://educaswiss.ch/ or https://www.stipendium.ch/
• Further information: https://www.edk.ch/de/themen/stipendien/stipendienstellen

Various financial institutions offer educational loans. Although the interest rates are lower than for other purchases, they are still more expensive than educational loans. Interest rates of 5-9% can be expected from financial institutions and 2-3% for educational loans from foundations.

Examples:

• Postfinance.ch: https://www.postfinance.ch/de/privat/finanzieren/privatkredit.html
• Cashgate.ch: https://www.cashgate.ch/de/kredit/weiterbildungskredit

Since 2023, theCity of Zurichcontinuing education, further training, especially for the low-skilled, who can use these measures to maintain or increase their employability. Ralf Margreiter, Head of the Scholarships Department at the Zurich Career Center, describes the awarding of job market scholarships as a preventative social policy. The city of Zurich is generous when it comes to financial support. It covers direct costs such as course costs, teaching materials, etc. and indirect costs such as childcare or loss of earnings if a person is unable to work as much due to continuing education, further training.

The measures not only affect low-skilled workers, but also people who lose their jobs due to new technologies such as artificial intelligence and therefore have to retrain.

• Further information: https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/de/bildung/berufsberatung-laufbahnberatung/stipendien/arbeitsmarktstipendien.html

Also inTrainthere is a similar project:

• Train: https://zg.ch/de/bildung/bslb/ausbildungsbeitraege/ams