Self-test Digital Collaboration Specialist (BP) course: Is this course right for me?
Test here whether a job as a digital transformation specialist with a federal certificate is right for you and whether a preparatory course for the federal professional examination "Digital Collaboration Specialist" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of Digital Collaboration Specialists with a federal certificate look like?
As "pioneers of a digital economy", Digital Collaboration Specialists work in companies in all sectors and take on a wide range of digitalization tasks and responsibilities in the areas of communication, personnel development and technology: from all-rounders, digital officers, transformation coaches, back-office managers or management support managers in SMEs to specialists for the implementation of digital strategies in large companies.
One of the core tasks of Digital Collaboration Specialists is to support operational change processes by analyzing the needs of stakeholders and deriving suggestions for suitable digital solutions. For example, when it comes to digital collaboration in the office, administration and management, they select a suitable online platform or service software such as Microsoft Teams, Jira from Atlassian or Google Drive. They are then responsible for their introduction, employee training, management, analysis and optimization measures. They also draw up data protection guidelines for the correct use of digital tools and monitor compliance with them.
Digitalization specialists operate a broad network of relevant stakeholders. They act as innovative visionaries and motivators and are in close contact with management, internal superiors, teams, employees, product and project managers, external customers and suppliers as well as providers of digital solutions.
The most important activities of Digital Collaboration Specialists at a glance:
- Needs analysis and identification of suitable digital tools and strategies
- Planning and implementation of ICT solutions
- Support for digital operational change processes
- Analysis and optimization of digital solutions
- Coaching of employees and customers
- Data and information analysis, processing and presentation
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a Digital Collaboration Specialist?
Great! Then you are certainly in the right place with this course. We wish you lots of fun and success.
However, you have taken the first step in this self-test, which is probably one of the most important steps towards a fulfilled and satisfied professional life. People who enjoy and are motivated by their work are of particular value to companies. They identify positively with their work, which is of great importance for the company's success both internally (keyword: team building, quality of completed tasks) and externally (keyword: image building). However, enjoying your work is also highly relevant for yourself, as it improves your quality of life.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing your HF degree, take a look at theEducational counseling offerfrom Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Take a look at comparable job advertisements. Perhaps you will find some that only require activities that suit you better, in which case you are in the right place with this further training.
Or perhaps another, related training course would suit you better? For example:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Would you like to find your own vocation? Then take a look at ourAdvisor.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for Digital Collaboration Specialist with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The "Digital Collaboration Specialist" course and professional examination are suitable for
- for professionals with ICT work experience who are interested in digital change processes and would like to specialize
- for digital-savvy professionals with ICT work experience who want to expand their digital skills
- Determined practitioners with experience in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) who want to play a key role in shaping, implementing and driving forward the digital transformation in companies
- innovative project managers and project staff with professional ICT experience who would like to learn about the possibilities of digital applications for project work
Digital Collaboration Specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Technical understanding and digital affinity
- Innovative ability and creativity
- analytical and networked thinking
- Flexibility and resilience
- Independent working style and sense of responsibility
- Organizational talent
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to work in a team and deal with conflicts
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Beautiful!
In the next step, find out whether you meet the admission requirements to take the professional examination to become a Digital Collaboration Specialist and obtain the federal certificate.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the Federal PET Diploma. The digital transformation is finding its way into practically every industry in different ways. The entry opportunities are correspondingly numerous. Take a look at the page "digital transformation" with various courses from suitable providers. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT), search for suitable jobs using professional job boards. If you know someone in your private or professional environment who is already working in this field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will probably not be happy with this broadly defined role of responsibility in the digital transformation. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization or specialization and are designed for fewer control tasks and areas of responsibility.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role with a lot of responsibility, it is best to talk to experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the federal professional examination Digital Collaboration Specialist (digitization specialist):
To be able to take the federal professional examination for Digital Collaboration Specialist, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations:
- have a federal certificate of proficiency (commercial clerk EFZ, mediamatician EFZ, computer scientist EFZ, ICT specialist or equivalent qualification) and at least two years of professional experience in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT)
Or
- have completed (other) basic vocational training (EFZ) or an equivalent qualification and have at least four years of professional experience in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT)
Or
- have a vocational baccalaureate (BMS), specialized baccalaureate, high school baccalaureate or equivalent qualification and at least three years of professional experience in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT)
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 Digital Collaboration Specialist 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/examination registration.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
Before you contact the school of your choice: Take a look at the next steps in this self-test and check whether the Digital Collaboration Specialist course is right for you in terms of course content, costs/financing, duration/lesson hours and examination procedure/completion. These are also important points on the way to the federal certificate or the answer to the question: Does the course suit me?
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional practice for Digital Collaboration Specialists, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the examination regulations, theSwiss ICT Vocational Training Association.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the ICT sector, 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 do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up on this now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in our guide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional practice for Digital Collaboration Specialists, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the examination regulations, theSwiss ICT Vocational Training Association.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the ICT sector, 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 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 our guide, for example"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter and content of the preparatory courses for the federal vocational examination for Digital Collaboration Specialist are based on the specifications of the sponsor of the vocational examination, the Swiss Association for ICT Vocational Education and Training.
According to the examination regulations, the learning material is spread over a total of 12 modules in six subject areas, in which the various areas of competence that are fundamental to the professional examination are covered:
Business Engineering
- Verify and evaluate digital collaboration tools (625)
- Selecting digital channels and tools according to the situation (626)
- Designing interactions in a user-centered way (631)
Business Management
- Manage and optimize digital channels (628)
- Planning and conducting interactive meetings (630)
- Initiating change processes (633)
- Observe and evaluate innovations and trends (646)
Data Management
- Analyzing and evaluating data (632)
Multimedia
- Producing content for digital media (627)
Project Management
- Planning, managing and monitoring projects (690)
Service Management
- Developing learning sequences (629)
- Maintaining the service landscape for digital collaboration (634)
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 only partially interested in the content of this federal certificate, take a look at other training and further education courses in the ICT sector. You may find a course that suits you better due to the content taught.
Would you like to focus less on digital collaboration tools and data analysis and more on agile working methods and team coaching? Then perhaps training as a "Agile Coach (Cert.)" something for you.
Apparently, the typical areas of responsibility of digital collaboration specialists 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 depending on the provider. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 3-semester in-service training course to become a Digital Collaboration Specialist:
- Course fees: between CHF 13,610 and CHF 14,550. You will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result).* If you are a member of the Kaufmännischer Verband and complete the training at a school listed by the Kaufmännischer Verband, you can benefit from a 5% discount on the course costs.
- Examination fee: Candidates pay the examination fee once admission has been confirmed. This is determined by the examination regulations body. It has not yet been determined (as of February 2022).
- 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.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance approx. CHF 13,610-14,550 for course fees (plus examination fee for the federal examination)?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance: , Enquire with the school of your choice if they offer a special discount if you pay in full in advance.
Information on financial support from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available 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 from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available 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 from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
- The modular training course to become a Digital Collaboration Specialist lasts 3 semesters.
- The course comprises between 400 and 432 lessons, which take place on two half-days per week (usually one evening per week and Saturday morning)
- 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.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
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 do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than two or three 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 to become a Digital Collaboration Specialist takes place annually if at least 25 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be taken in German, French or Italian.
The examination regulations provide for four parts for the federal examination, which proceed as follows:
- Writing a project paper: prepared in advance, in writing (weighting 25%):Candidates write a project paper by the specified deadline. In it, they deal in depth with change processes in connection with digital transformation and explain a (sub)project that they are currently working on professionally. The project work must meet the formal requirements regarding scope, structure and content. This also includes a reflection in which the candidates critically reflect on and assess their work.
- Presentation and expert discussion on the practical report: 45 minutes, oral (weighting 25%):Candidates present their project work orally to an audience of experts consisting of at least two people. They present the measures and decisions taken in their work in a convincing manner. In the subsequent technical discussion, they answer the experts' in-depth questions on topics from the project work.
- Case study and mini-cases: 240 minutes, written (weighting 25%):In this part of the exam, candidates work on various industry-specific case studies: they analyze, assess and solve mini-cases, i.e. everyday situations relating to the management of digital collaboration in companies.
- Critical Incidents: 60 minutes, oral (weighting 25%):In this part of the examination, candidates work through critical work situations and verbally demonstrate possible courses of action for advising and training employees and teams in the use of digital collaboration tools in a needs-oriented and target group-oriented manner.
Diploma and title
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Digital Collaboration Specialist with federal certificate".
In French: "Digital Collaboration Specialist avec brevet fédéral"
In Italian: "Digital Collaboration Specialist con attestato professionale federale"
In English: "Digital Collaboration Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
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 unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend this course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or the sponsor of the professional examination, theSwiss ICT Vocational Training Association. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
If you are not confident about taking the federal professional examination, you may not be left empty-handed after successfully completing the preparatory course: if you have successfully completed all modules, some schools will award you a school certificate.
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 will pass the final exam, it is best to arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith a school or the sponsoring body of the professional examination, theSwiss ICT Vocational Training Association. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask at the school of your choice whether there areSupport optionsfor you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
No, the course for the federal certificate as a Digital Collaboration Specialist (BP) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other opportunities for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Digital Collaboration Specialist is probably not the right training goal 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.
That's a half-hearted result: the job of Digital Collaboration Specialist doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training to become a Digital Collaboration Specialist (BP) 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