Self-test: Is the "e-commerce specialist" vocational examination a good fit for me?

What does the everyday working life of e-commerce specialists with a federal certificate look like?

E-commerce specialists work in companies and organizations of all sizes that operate an online store and sell goods or services online. They are responsible for the creation, operation and further development of the online store and also take on the role of team leader.

E-commerce specialists plan and implement projects for online stores and digital platforms. For example, they optimize the purchasing process and product presentations to ensure a satisfying digital shopping experience. To do this, they keep up to date with the latest developments and trends. They analyze their significance for their own online store and take appropriate measures. Furthermore, e-commerce specialists with a federal certificate check and update various master data, such as product descriptions, images and videos. They also draw up and monitor the budget.

Their area of activity also includes the planning and implementation of marketing projects (including social media, blogs, newsletters) and analyzing whether the desired effect has been achieved. They take into account legal aspects such as data protection and copyright and ensure compliance with these.

E-commerce specialists work together with various departments: ICT, logistics, product management, marketing, etc. They maintain good contact with manufacturers and wholesalers as well as specialists and experts and therefore regularly exchange information on a wide range of topics - such as logistics processes (returns, sustainable packaging, waste disposal) or new sales channels (e.g. Click & Collect).

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination to become an e-commerce specialist with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The e-commerce training, further training and the professional examination to become an "e-commerce specialist" are aimed at the following target groups:

• Ambitious professionals from the retail trade, commercial sector, logistics or ICT who work in e-commerce and would now like to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in online shopping
• Determined business people, retailers, logisticians and ICT specialists who are responsible for an online store in their professional activities and would like to enhance their profile and career opportunities with a federal certificate.

E-commerce specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Enthusiasm for technology and digitalization
• Understanding of technology, sales and marketing
• Creativity
• Sociability
• Communication skills
• Organizational talent
• Sense for numbers
• Analytical and logical thinking
• Effective, efficient and independent way of working
• Negotiation and sales skills
• Ability to work in a team

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for E-Commerce Specialist:

Persons who meet the following admission requirements by the time of the professional examination or registration deadline are admitted to the final examination (BP):

• Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) as a retail specialist, businessman / businesswoman, mediamatician, computer scientist or customer dialog specialist or equivalent qualification and at least 2 years of professional experience* in the e-commerce sector

Or

• Apprenticeship (EFZ) in another profession or equivalent qualification and at least 3 years of professional experience* in e-commerce

And

• The required module qualifications** or certificates of equivalence. Please note that access to store software is mandatory for completing the modules.

You will receive written notification at least 4 months before the start of the examination as to whether you have been admitted to the professional examination. If you receive a rejection letter, you will be informed of the reasons for the rejection as well as instructions on how to appeal.

Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for e-commerce 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.

By the way: At some schools, it is possible to complete only the e-commerce course without taking an exam. However, you will not end up empty-handed. As a rule, you will receive a course confirmation or the school's own certificate after completing the course. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for such course-specific questions.

* Qualified professional experience in the e-commerce sector is defined as work in a trading function or in a trading company in the e-commerce sector. Part-time positions are credited on a pro rata basis.

**

• Module 1 - BUA A: Establishing and developing a digital platform
• Module 2 - HKB B: Optimizing the digital product presentation
• Module 3 - HKB C: Digitizing sales processes
• Module 4 - HKB D: Realization of marketing activities
• Module 5 - HKB E: Interacting at interfaces
• Module 6 - HKB F: Managing projects and project teams
• Module 7 - HKB G: Networking and operating in the digital market

Subject matter and content of the training

When compiling the learning content for the preparatory course for the professional examination for e-commerce specialists, the schools are guided by the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the Association of Sponsors of the Federal Professional Examination "E-Commerce Specialist" (TEPEC).

The sponsoring body is responsible for periodically reviewing the professional examination and requirements. This review ensures that the knowledge and skills imparted continue to be up to date, i.e. that they meet the requirements of the labor market.

The e-commerce training course has a modular structure and imparts knowledge and skills on the following topics:

• Module 1 - BUA A: Establishing and developing a digital platformSetup, operation and further development of an online shop/digital platform, testing the online shop/digital platform from the customer's perspective.
• Module 2 - HKB B: Optimizing the digital product presentationPlan, create, coordinate and check article information, delegate the implementation and coordination of content checks and optimizations, further develop and coordinate product presentations.
• Module 3 - HKB C: Digitizing sales processesAnalysis and presentation of customers' digital usage behavior, creating digital customer experiences, supporting and assisting online customers during and after their purchase.
• Module 4 - HKB D: Realization of marketing activitiesPlanning of (omni-channel) marketing campaigns or advertising measures and their implementation in the online shop/on the digital platform, analyzing the impact of marketing activities and initiating measures.
• Module 5 - HKB E: Interacting at interfacesCoordinate various interfaces (logistics, category management, omni-channel sales channels), monitor legal compliance of the digital platform.
• Module 6 - HKB F: Managing projects and project teamsImplementation of (omni-channel) strategies in your own area, management of e-commerce projects, technical management of project teams, planning, monitoring and evaluating the financial implementation of projects.
• Module 7 - HKB G: Networking and operating in the digital marketBuilding and using a business network in the digital market, supporting change processes and digitalization in the workplace, shaping personal skills management.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs for e-commerce training are not always the same, as they are set independently by the schools. An exception to this is the examination fee - this is charged by the sponsor of the federal examination.

In general, the following costs must be expected for further training in e-commerce:

• Course feesBetween CHF 9,500 and CHF 14,000, of which you will receive up to 50% back from the federal government upon application (regardless of the result).
• Fee for the professional examinationCHF 2,000 (as of June 2023). Candidates must pay the examination fee as soon as they have received notification of admission.
• With some providers you have to payadditional costsfor enrolment, teaching materials and training documents, internal examinations or simulation tests, for example. We recommend that you contact the provider of your choice directly and ask what extra 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 will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.

Duration of studies, teaching times, teaching formats and learning effort

• The part-time e-commerce course is designed as a modular model with a final examination and lasts two semesters.
• The weekly schedules are determined independently by the educational institutions. There may therefore be differences depending on the school. Lessons often take place on one or two evenings a week and/or on Saturdays, so that they can be optimally combined with work.
• You can now choose from a wide range of teaching formats: Face-to-face teaching, online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning. You are sure to find an e-commerce training course with teaching formats that meet your expectations and needs. Tip: In the answers you will find a link to a page that provides an overview of the different teaching formats.
• 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 - both important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

If you have successfully completed the e-commerce training and can provide proof of all seven module qualifications, as well as meeting the other admission requirements for the required prior education and professional experience, then you are admitted to the professional examination.

The final examination is held annually, provided that at least 30 candidates meet the admission requirements after the call for applications. If this is not the case, the professional examination will be held every two years. Candidates can decide for themselves in which language (German, French or Italian) they would like to be examined.

At least four weeks before the start of the final examination of the e-commerce further education course, candidates receive a notice with the examination program (time and place of the examination) and the list of experts.

The professional examination to become an e-commerce specialist comprises the following examination parts:

1) Development report on own experience (written, prepared in advance, weighting: 40 %)

As part of their professional practice, candidates write a report on their experience. In it, they summarize their results, findings and measures from the practical documentation, the competence grid and the disposition checks.

The practical documentation is compiled for each area of competence A-G. In these, candidates examine their own tasks, assess them in terms of the quality of implementation and reflect on their own learning progress. Candidates use a skills grid to think through their competencies and a disposition check to assess their attitudes. Finally, they derive measures for their own professional practice and development.

2) Expert discussion on the development report (oral, 30 minutes, weighting: 20 %)

After their short presentation of the development report, the candidates are questioned about the development report. They must show that they are able to apply their experience to comparable and novel situations.

3) Analysis task with presentation (oral, 75 minutes, weighting: 20 %)

In this part of the exam, candidates take the customer perspective and click through an online store for 45 minutes. On the basis of specifications, they record anomalies regarding functions, sub-areas as well as problems and possible optimization measures. The candidates then present their analysis and findings and answer further questions from the experts.

4) Mini-Cases / Critical Incidents (oral, 30 min., weighting: 20 %)

In this part of the examination, candidates are asked to analyze smaller case descriptions and develop concrete steps and measures.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "E-Commerce Specialist with Federal Certificate".

In French: "Spécialiste du e-commerce avec brevet fédéral"

In Italian: "Specialista dell'e-commerce con attestato professionale federale"

In English: "E-Commerce Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
Attention: Please remember that the English title is only a suggested translation and is not a protected title.