Self-test communication specialist with federal certificate (BP): Is this course suitable for me?
Test here whether a job as a communication specialist with a federal certificate is right for you and whether a preparatory course for the federal professional examination "Communication Specialist" is the right path for you.
The following note in advance: "Communication specialist" has been the new name for the previous qualification "Communication planner" since 2019. The most important change is that since the redesign of the continuing education program in 2019, a Markom admission exam is no longer required for admission.
What does the day-to-day work of a communication specialist with a federal certificate look like?
Communication specialists with a federal certificate work in media and advertising agencies, media publishers, advertising companies or in small to large companies.
They work closely with the communication or advertising management and the consultants and are jointly responsible for planning and coordinating measures for a wide range of projects. In close cooperation with internal and external departments and specialists, such as the design, realization and production, media or market research departments, they prepare offers and orders. Communications specialists are also involved in the organization and implementation of a wide range of events in the field of sponsorship and event management, as well as in the implementation of public relations (PR), sales promotion and direct marketing projects. They are familiar with the production stages, production and manufacturing techniques, the various communication tools and the legal aspects of advertising. They are often also responsible for monitoring schedules and budgets and take on administrative tasks.
The most important activities at a glance:
- (Co-)development of communication strategies and communication concepts
- (Co-)support of customers or clients
- Produce and implement marketing and communication steps
- (Co-)planning and realization of communication instruments
- Planning, organization and implementation of media assignments
- Monitoring deadlines and costs
- Performing administrative activities and specific tasks such as presentations or market research.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a communications specialist?
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Also take a look at job advertisements. Perhaps you will find some that only require the activities that suit you better.
Perhaps another, related training program would suit you better? For example:
- Marketing Specialist (BP) (formerly Marketing Planner (BP))
- PR Specialist (BP)
- Copywriter (BP)
- Sales Specialist (BP)
- Designer Visual Design (HF)
- Marketing Manager (HF)
If you don't necessarily have to take a professional examination with a federal certificate, there is also the option of completing a course with the school's own certificate. Perhaps that would be something for you?
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities.
Target group - Who is the professional examination for communication specialists with a federal certificate suitable for?
The "Communications Specialist (BP)" courses are suitable for:
- Clerks in the field of advertising, PR, marketing, sales or direct marketing with specific specialist tasks
- Graphic or conceptual professionals in the fields of advertising, PR, marketing, sales or direct marketing
- People who want to enter or advance in marketing or advertising
- People who want to join or advance in service companies in the communications industry
Communication specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Expressiveness
- Communication skills and sociability
- Ability to work in a team
- Organizational and coordination skills
- Reliability and independence
- Precise way of working and quick comprehension
- Creativity and flexibility
- Creative flair
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate. However, there are many options open to you for entering the field of communication. Take a look at our free guide 1.3"Training and further education in the areas of marketing, communication and sales". You may come across further training courses that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities, you probably won't be successful or happy in the field of communication. Take a look at our guide"Finding the right training"on. It offers helpful tips and information on how to find the right training.
Requirements for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for Communication Specialists (BP)
You must meet the following requirements for admission to the federal professional examination "Communication Specialist":
- At least two years of professional experience in the fields of communication, advertising, public relations, marketing, sales or direct marketing / dialog marketing
And one of the following degrees:
- Management assistant with federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ)
- At least 3 years basic training (EFZ) in a sales profession
- At least 3 years of basic training (EFZ) in a graphic arts profession
- Commercial high school diploma or diploma from a diploma middle school lasting at least 3 years
- Matura (all types)
- Diploma of a higher professional examination in a commercial field
- Degree from a university or university of applied sciences in a commercial field
- Federal certificate for PR specialist, marketing specialist, sales specialist
Or
- At least three years of professional experience in the fields of communication, advertising, public relations, marketing, sales or direct marketing / dialog marketing
- And another apprenticeship qualification with EFZ, a higher professional examination in another field or another course of study at a higher technical college or university.
You will find out whether you have been admitted to the exam at least three months before the start of the exam. The deadline for providing proof of the required professional experience is the day of the examination.
Note: Individual schools may also be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for communication specialists 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?
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for communication specialists, please contact the sponsor of the examination regulations, the Swiss Communication Association (KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz), directly. On their website (https://www.ks-cs.ch/de/weiterbildung/kommunikationsfachleute), you have the option of submitting an application for a preliminary decision on admission to the federal professional examination. This application is subject to a fee of CHF 150 (as of spring 2021).
If you have too 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 active in the fields of communication, advertising, PR, marketing sales or direct marketing/dialog marketing, ask this person if he/she would support you in taking your first steps in this field.
If you have already designed, supervised and/or implemented projects in communication, advertising, PR, marketing, sales or direct marketing/dialogue marketing in your free time, then it is worthwhile demonstrating your skills in a professional setting, for example with a school or internationally recognized certificate. You can find suitable offers hereEducation-Further-Education.ch
If you lack the necessary academic skills, then look out for suitable training, further education, workshops, seminars or courses. Here onEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of suitable offers from competent providers.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for communication specialists, please contact the sponsor of the examination regulations, the Swiss Communication Association (KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz), directly. On their website (https://www.ks-cs.ch/de/weiterbildung/kommunikationsfachleute), you have the option of submitting an application for a preliminary decision on admission to the federal professional examination. This application is subject to a fee of CHF 150 (as of spring 2021).
If you have too 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 active in the fields of communication, advertising, PR, marketing sales or direct marketing/dialog marketing, ask this person if he/she would support you in taking your first steps in this field.
If you have already designed, supervised and/or implemented projects in communication, advertising, PR, marketing, sales or direct marketing/dialogue marketing in your free time, then it is worthwhile demonstrating your skills in a professional setting, for example with a school or internationally recognized certificate. You can find suitable offers hereEducation-Further-Education.ch
If you lack the necessary academic skills, then look out for suitable training, further education, workshops, seminars or courses. Here onEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of suitable offers from competent providers.
Subject matter and content of the training
The content of the preparatory courses for the federal professional examination "Communication Specialist" is based on the specifications of the sponsoring body of the professional examination, the Swiss Communication Association KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz. The course content comprises five main topics with different content blocks.
- BasicsEconomics (VWL), business administration (BWL), advertising industry and advertising law
- MarketingMarketing basics, market research and distribution and sales
- CommunicationCreation, communication tools, strategy, concept
- Realization/ProductionOnline, Offline, Dates, Costs, Processes
- MediaCost accounting and control, media research, media planning and strategy
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire this knowledge?
If you are only partially interested in this federal certificate, take a look at other training and further education courses in the fields of communication, advertising, public relations (PR), marketing, sales or direct marketing / dialog marketing. You may find a course that suits you better due to the content taught.
- Are you more interested in writing and editing editorial articles? Then perhaps the professional examination for"PR Specialist / PR Specialist (BP)"or"Copywriter (BP)"fallen.
- Is personal interaction with customers important to you? Then perhaps the federal certificate as a"Sales specialist (BP)"something for you.
- If you are more interested in creative tasks, then take a look at the professional examination for the"Typographer for visual communication (BP)".
Obviously the typical areas of responsibility of communication 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 slightly depending on the provider. In general, the following costs can be expected for the 2- or 3-semester courses:
- Course fees: between CHF 9,800 and CHF 11,600, half of which will be reimbursed by the federal government on application after you have passed the examination (federal contribution*).
- Examination fee: The CHF 1,950 fee for the federal professional examination must usually be paid directly to the KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz association when registering for the examination.
- Some providers charge extra for course materials, simulation exams, case and exam corrections.
- The course fees for the course "Communication Specialist with Federal Certificate" are to be paid either at the beginning of the course, by semester or in installments.
* Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) / higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported (subsidized) by the federal government. Graduates of these courses receive up to 50% of the course costs paid back upon application after taking the federal examination.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance approx. CHF 11,800-13,600 for course fees and the federal examination?
Great! Here's a tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice if they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on the Confederation's contribution to the costs of preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) is available athere.
Information on the Confederation's contribution to the costs of preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) 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 the Confederation's contribution to the costs of preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) 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.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
The course lasts 2 to 3 semesters and comprises between 225 and 340 lessons.
Lessons usually take place on two evenings or all day on a working day (Monday to Friday) or on Saturday. There are often different teaching formats to choose from: Face-to-face, online or hybrid lessons.
The learning effort (homework, preparation and follow-up time, exam preparation) in addition to the attendance time is 4 to 6 hours per week, depending on your learning speed.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study time?
If you don't have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over four 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 "Communication Specialist with Federal Certificate" comprises five parts and is conducted as follows:
1st part / basics: 1 hour in writing
Candidates must answer questions in writing or correctly demonstrate their knowledge of economics, business administration, the advertising industry and advertising law using current practical examples.
Part 2 / Marketing: 1.5 hours in writing
Candidates must apply their knowledge of commercial communication, market research, distribution and sales on the basis of examples provided and evaluate them in writing.
3rd part / communication: 4 hours written, 25 minutes oral
Candidates must complete written case studies on communication strategy, concepts and instruments (definition, planning and implementation). In the oral examination, they discuss practical examples or smaller cases.
Part 4 / Realization and production: 4 hours written, 25 minutes oral
Using written case studies, candidates develop solutions for the implementation of off- and online assignments. This includes aspects of quotation and order management, cost management and scheduling. This competence is assessed orally on the basis of practical examples.
Part 5 / Media: 4 hours written, 25 minutes oral
In case studies, candidates propose written solutions for the planning and use of offline and online media. They are tested orally on the basis of practical examples provided.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Bring in your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- 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, e.g. in simulation exams
Diploma and title:
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and may use the federally recognized and protected title "Communications Specialist with Federal Certificate".
In French: "Spécialiste en communication avec brevet fédéral"
In Italian: "Specialista della communicazione con attestato professionale federale"
In English: "Executive in communications, Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
The holders of the certificate and their names are entered in a register kept by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the federal professional examination?
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 KS/CS Communication Switzerland professional examination (https://www.ks-cs.ch/de/weiterbildung/kommunikationsfachleute). 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, some schools will not leave you empty-handed after you have successfully completed the preparatory course: if you have successfully completed all modules, you may receive aschool certificate.
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school or the sponsor of the KS/CS Kommunikation Schweiz professional examination (https://www.ks-cs.ch/de/weiterbildung/kommunikationsfachleute). 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, the course for the federal certificate as a communications 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 would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. You will find a large selection of offers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Communication specialist is probably not the right further education 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 what other further training courses interest you. You will find a wide range of offers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a communications 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. You will find a wide range of offers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Further training as a communications specialist 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: