Target group and skills: Who is the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Foreign Trade suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The Foreign Trade Specialist training course, including preparation for the Federal Professional Examination, is aimed at the following people:

• with processing tasks in export, import, international trade, forwarding and purchasing
• work as bankers or employees in internationally oriented banks
• employed as merchants in export processing or sales
• working as an employee in an internationally operating forwarding or transportation company
• would like to take up a position as a foreign trade specialist

The following qualities and skills are required for a successful job as a foreign trade specialist:

• Good foreign language skills and sociability
• Enjoy international contacts
• Flexibility and talent for improvisation
• High personal initiative
• Flair for numbers, calculations and statistics
• Good organizational skills
• Service awareness
• Negotiating skills
• Networked thinking and action

Requirements for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for Foreign Trade Specialists:

The following requirements must be met for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for Foreign Trade Specialists:

• has a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, a diploma from a federally recognized commercial secondary school, a baccalaureate certificate (all types) or an equivalent qualification

and

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in foreign trade

Some schools also require a good command of the German language, basic MS Office IT skills, a high willingness to learn and technical equipment for online teaching. Depending on your previous knowledge, it is advisable to attend a preliminary course as a clerk (e.g. foreign trade clerk or international order processing clerk) or in finance and accounting.

You will be informed in writing at least four months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the federal examination for foreign trade specialists - in the event of rejection, including reasons and instructions on how to appeal.

Note: The requirements, such as professional experience, only need to be fulfilled at the time of the federal written examinations. Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Federal Professional Examination for Foreign Trade Specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination at the start of the course. You are responsible for meeting the conditions at the time of the examination or examination registration. The timely transfer of the examination fee is also reserved.

Subject matter and content of the continuing education, further training in foreign trade:

The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Foreign Trade is based on the requirements of the responsible body for the Federal Diploma of Higher Education, theSwissmemandTrade Switzerland.

The learning content of the Foreign Trade Specialist apprenticeship is divided into the following topics:

• Economic environment for foreign trade
• Business administration in the context of foreign trade
• Self-management & self-competence of foreign trade specialists
• Organization & structuring of foreign business
• Financing & payment processing
• Terms of delivery in foreign business
• Customs and customs origin of goods
• Forwarding and logistics
• Excise and consumption tax
• Law
• Intercultural interaction

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training for foreign trade specialists:

The cost of training as a foreign trade specialist varies slightly depending on the provider and the duration of the course. On average, these amounts are to be expected:

• Course fees:between CHF 7'800.- and CHF 12'500.-
  After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
  Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a 10% discount on the costs of training courses and courses offered by individual training providers
• Examination fees:CHF 1,560 (as at: 2023)
  The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the Federal Professional Examination. It is paid by the candidate once admission to the Foreign Trade Specialist examination has been confirmed.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for continuing education, further training in foreign trade.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for Federal Professional Examinations such as Foreign Trade Specialist have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort for foreign trade specialist training:

• The Foreign Trade Specialist training, continuing education, further training is classically structured (i.e. Federal Professional Examination covers all competencies to be assessed) and lasts 2 to 3 semesters while working. It comprises approx. 300 lessons.
• Lesson times vary depending on the provider of the Foreign Trade Specialist course. As a rule, lessons take place two evenings a week or all day on a weekday and/or Saturday.
• 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 extra-occupational concept of the continuing education, further training as a foreign trade specialist, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. 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 3 - 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. These are important aspects on the way to a successful Foreign Trade Specialist qualification. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title Foreign Trade Specialists:

The Federal Professional Examination "Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education" takes place annually, provided that at least 12 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in the three official languages German, French or Italian.
Candidates for the Federal Foreign Trade Specialist Examination will be notified at least 40 days 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 federal examination for foreign trade specialists comprises the following nine examination parts with equal weighting:

1. Fundamentals and practical situations in foreign trade (written, 210 minutes)
   Knowledge questions and realistic practical situations (mini-cases) from the operational environment of foreign trade on the following skills:

   • Organizing business processes in foreign trade
   • Ensuring the movement of goods and services
   • Implementing compliance and contract management
   • Shaping the organization and communication
   • Implementing the marketing
   • Applying the calculation
     
     

2. Integrated case study (written, 210 minutes)
   The action strategies (business procedures/business processes) as well as management and work tools for typical activities for the above-mentioned action competencies from the foreign trade sector and business administration:

   • Elaborate
   • Analyze
   • Optimize

3. Presentation and expert discussion on foreign trade (oral, 60 minutes)

   • Expert discussion with at least two experts on various questions about the competencies from Part 1

Diploma and title "Foreign trade specialist"

Graduates of the Federal Professional Examination receive a Federal Diploma of Higher Education and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education" or "Foreign Trade Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education".

• In French: "Spécialiste du commerce international avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Specialista in commercio estero con attestato professionale federale"
• In English: "Foreign Trade Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)