The social insurance clerk course is aimed at people who already work for a health insurance or social insurance company and would like to improve their knowledge of social insurance. The target group also includes people who work in administration in SMEs, as well as people from accounting or human resources who would like to delve deeper into this subject. If you come from a completely different sector and have had no previous contact with the field of social insurance, this is not normally an obstacle to enrolling on the clerk course. It is best to enquire directly with the individual training providers about the target group.

The content of the individual training courses for insurance clerks can vary greatly. On an edupool.ch-certified social insurance clerk course, for example, you will learn the basics of social security, everything you need to know about the 1st pillar as well as maternity compensation, social assistance and income compensation, the 2nd pillar and health insurance as well as unemployment insurance and the 3rd pillar. You will also receive information on salaries and wages as well as the interfaces with employment law.

The target group for continuing education, further training as a social insurance clerk includes employees from social and private insurance companies, health insurance companies, pension funds and employees with personnel tasks, as well as people who are entrusted with the accounting of social insurance and have to provide information about it. This course is also aimed at HR specialists who want to expand their knowledge and practitioners who want to acquire such knowledge, as well as newcomers, people changing jobs or returning to work and people who need basic knowledge for specific continuing education, further training, such as becoming a social insurance specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education.

You do not need to have a professional qualification in the insurance industry or any other commercial training to take part in a social insurance clerk course. Some training providers require you to have completed an apprenticeship with Federal VET Diploma in any field, while others only require you to have completed compulsory schooling.

As a rule, German language skills at level C1 as well as knowledge of basic arithmetic and proportional arithmetic must be demonstrated at the start of the continuing education, further training in social insurance. Attendance of at least 80 percent is usually a prerequisite for admission to the final examination. A flair for numbers, careful and accurate work and an interest in all topics relating to social insurance are of course also recommended.

The following are also recommended for the Clerk social insurance training:

• Two years of general professional experience
• First practical experience in the field of social insurance
• Completed (commercial) basic training (Federal VET Diploma) or equivalent qualification.

If you are interested in a career in insurance consulting for private insurance companies, you may also be interested in a course to become an insurance broker in addition to training as a social insurance clerk. Of course, training as a social insurance clerk is also suitable for a job as an insurance advisor, and you may find employment with private or public insurance companies.

The social security clerk course provides in-depth knowledge in the field of social security in Switzerland. Many schools base their course content on the Edupool certificate, which is a recognized standard throughout Switzerland. The topics are wide-ranging and cover key areas of social security law:

• Basics of social security and social assistance: Introduction to the social security system in Switzerland, including tasks and financing.
• 1st pillar: AHV, IV, supplementary benefits and income replacement scheme (maternity allowance, paternity allowance), family allowances.
• Pillar 2: Occupational benefits insurance (BVG) and accident insurance (UVG) as well as related topics such as health insurance (KVG), unemployment insurance (AVIG) and daily sickness benefits insurance (VVG).
• Labor law and payroll: Relevant provisions of labor law and the basics of payroll accounting

This course content provides a solid foundation for anyone who works in administration, social security or HR departments, or would like to do so.

Important: Schools that issue their own certificate can define the course content individually. Therefore, there may be differences in the content depending on the provider.

Tip: The exact course content can be requested directly from the respective school. A contact form (button under the FAQs) is available for this purpose, which can be used to forward questions directly to the desired educational institution.

The social insurance clerk continuing education, further training is not a federally regulated course, so the content, degree and duration can vary depending on the school. At most schools, however, this continuing education, further training takes about 2 semesters. Please enquire about the duration at the school of your choice.

The Insurance / Social Security Clerk course is not vocational training leading to a federally recognized qualification, such as a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Vocational Certificate) or Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Vocational Certificate). A certificate course also does not entitle the holder to further education, further training leading to a federally recognized qualification, such as FPE (Federal Professional Examination) or AFPE (Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE)). Before attending a certificate course, you should therefore always first have a vocational apprenticeship or a comparable qualification.

The purpose of the social insurance clerk training course is as follows:

• Solid knowledge in the areas of social insurance
• Work at the interface between labor law, human resources and payroll in the private sector or public administration
• competently answer questions about social insurance in Switzerland
• Knowledge gained at school can be applied immediately in everyday working life
• act independently in the field of social insurance and deal with practical problems as the situation demands
• First step on the way to becoming a social insurance specialist (professional examination)