Company mentor (BP) self-test: Is this course the right one for me?
Test here whether working as a coach in a company environment suits you and whether the preparatory course for the federal professional examination "Company Mentor" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of company mentors look like?
Company mentors are coaches who support employees in difficult situations on behalf of a company (e.g. organizational changes, taking on new tasks, problems in the team). Their most important tasks are
- Supporting employees in dealing with questions and problems in the workplace or in professional or personal change processes
- Support leaders in developing their leadership role, managing conflicts or improving their communication
- Supporting teams and groups in difficult situations
- Depending on the situation and requirements, they take on the role of coach, consultant or trainer
- At the beginning of a new coaching session, you clarify the issue, the framework conditions and the expectations
- They then work with the client to set goals and write an agreement
- Company mentoring takes place in the form of personal discussions during which, for example, solutions, attitude goals and concrete action steps are developed and recorded.
- At the end, they reflect together on the course of the support and plan further steps if necessary
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet my expectations? Would I like to work as an in-company mentor?
Great!
If you do not like all aspects of being a company mentor, think about which ones interest you the most.
And then take a look at similar training courses. Perhaps there is another one that suits you even better. Here are some examples:
If you don't like the activities of a company mentor at all, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities.
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
The preparatory courses for the federal professional examination "Company Mentor (BP)" are aimed at:
- People who are interested in accompanying and advising people in their professional environment
- People who deal with people in their everyday work and would like to provide them with even more professional support
- People with coaching, support and training tasks such as trainers, HR managers, managers, teachers, project managers
Company mentors should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Empathy
- Load capacity
- Observation skills
- strong communication skills
- Willingness to deal with oneself (self-reflection)
- Solution orientation
- Interest in human and organizational issues
Question 2:
Do I belong to one of the target groups of this training?
Great!
If you do not belong to any of the target groups for the "Company mentor" training course, but still feel that this activity appeals to you, take a look at other training courses that are aimed at similar target groups to this one:
Requirements for admission to the federal professional examination "Company mentor"
The following requirements apply for admission to the federal examination "Company Mentor (BP)":
- Federal apprenticeship certificate (EFZ) or equivalent qualification and 4 years of professional experience
- Confirmed participation in at least 9 personal reflection or coaching sessions with a maximum of 3 recognized coaches over a period of 6 months, as well as reflection on the personal development process and writing a progress report during the above-mentioned period of at least 6 months
- Documented implementation of at least 20 individual support sessions with at least three different people
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: The requirements, such as professional experience, do not have to be fulfilled until the time of the federal final examination/examination registration. Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for company mentors if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. You must then ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination or examination registration (the responsibility lies with you).
Question 3:
Do I meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for in-company mentoring, clarify your chances directly with the body responsible for the examination regulations, theSwiss Coaching Association SCAandSwiss Leaders.
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the relevant field, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
- SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP.Hereyou will find more information.
- If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for in-company mentoring, clarify your chances directly with the body responsible for the examination regulations, theSwiss Coaching Association SCAandSwiss Leaders.
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the relevant field, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
- SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP.Hereyou will find more information.
- If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the training
Further training to become a company mentor is usually divided into 3 phases:
- Experience development processes for yourself
You work alone and in a group on your own topics and experience the effect of a structured approach and support. - Acquiring theoretical knowledge and practicing its application
You will acquire the professional tools of the trade in theory and practice, practise with each other and draw up your own personal support concept. - Reflection and exam preparation
You will deepen your knowledge, carry out your own accompaniment and reflect on your work in supervision.
During the training you will deal with the following topics:
- Personal support concept
- Order clarification
- Preparing, implementing and concluding monitoring processes
- Legal basis and documentation
- Roles and role clarifications
- Shaping relationships
- Conflict management
- Marketing and administration
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire this knowledge?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are still too unsure about what to expect, go to an information event. All schools offer this opportunity. There you can find out more about the course of training to become a mentor, ask questions and perhaps talk to graduates.
Obviously the typical areas of responsibility of a company mentor with a federal certificate are not your world. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs vary slightly depending on the provider and duration of the course. On average, the following costs can be expected:
- Course fees: CHF 11,000 to CHF 15,000, half of which will be refunded to you after passing the federal examination (federal contribution)
- Teaching materials, training documents, internal examinations: Approx. CHF 2,000
- Examination fee for the federal professional examination: CHF 2,250.
- Additional costs for self-awareness sessions, supervision and possibly overnight stays in the seminar hotel may also be incurred
Question 5:
Am I able to pay between CHF 11,000 and CHF 15,000 for the course fees?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
- The courses are part-time and last approx. 18 months. Depending on the provider, they contain 12 to 22 teaching days, which are spread over approx. 18 months in 3-4 blocks.
- In addition, 4-6 hours per week should be expected for self-study, practice sessions, supervision and participation in learning groups.
- All in all, the total time required by all providers is approximately 560 hours.
- 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.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great! If you have even more time and are prepared to accept a greater time commitment, find out whether there are intensive courses for training to become an in-company mentor. This would allow you to achieve your training goal in less time.
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A well-organized study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you don't have that much time, get in touch with the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over several semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The professional examination for company mentors with a federal certificate takes place annually if at least 15 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.
Candidates are notified at least 4 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The professional examination is divided into four parts:
1) Accompanying concept (written, prepared in advance)
The mentoring concept describes the basic principles as well as the procedure for mentoring individuals in their field of work and profession during learning, change and development processes. In the mentoring concept, candidates explain how they prepare, carry out and conclude such mentoring.
2) Thematic work (written, prepared in advance)
In their thematic work, candidates demonstrate that they are capable of networking the various competencies of company mentors. The topic dealt with in the thesis should be practice-oriented and relevant to mentoring.
3) Presentation and technical discussion on examination parts 1 and 2 incl. discussion of the accompanying evidence (oral, 105 minutes)
In this part of the examination, candidates reflect on the previous parts 1 and 2 and also make overarching connections.
4) Live accompaniment (practical, 105 minutes)
Here the candidates show that they are able to carry out an accompaniment. To do this, they are given a description of an initial situation from their relevant work and professional environment, which they prepare in a preparation time of 45 minutes. This is followed by a 60-minute role-play with a role-playing person as a customer.
Diploma and title
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Company mentor with federal certificate".
In French: "Mentor d'entreprise avec brevet fédéral"
In Italian: "Mentore aziendale von attestator professionale federale"
In English: "Company Mentor, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (Attention: No protected title only a recommendation)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for the federal certificate?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident that you can pass the final examination, it is best to arrange a personal consultation with a school or vocational examination sponsor, theSwiss Coaching Association SCAandSwiss Leaders. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
No, this "Company Mentor" course really doesn't seem to be the right fit for you right now.
Here you will find a large selection of other training courses
A company mentor (BP) course does not seem to be the right training course for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Working as a company mentor or this form of training does not seem ideal for you.
Perhaps you would like to take another look at what other further training courses might be suitable for you. On Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch you will find a large selection of different offers.
The in-company mentor training is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin