Anyone wishing to start training as a social worker or social pedagogue at a College of Higher Education must generally have at least three years of vocational training or an equivalent or higher (including school-based) qualification and at least one year of professional experience. In addition, a pre-study internship of at least 800 hours in the socio-educational field is recommended for people without an EZF Fachleute Betreuung. An impeccable reputation, no relevant entries in the criminal record and the passing of an aptitude test or an entrance examination are usually also required.

Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (HF diplomas) can also be obtained in the field of social work, although not explicitly as a social worker. For example, training to become a community animator CHE, a social pedagogue CHE and a child educator CHE is possible.

There are a large number of federally recognized initial and continuing education, further training courses in Switzerland that provide training in the field of social work. These include basic training as a care specialist (FaBe), which is also available as adult education. There are also a number of Federal Diplomas of Higher Education in this field, which enable you to work as a social worker, for example as a social support worker with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education, as a specialist in supporting people with disabilities, as a team leader in social and socio-medical institutions or as a social insurance specialist. There are also courses to prepare for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) as a counselor in the psychosocial field, as an institution manager in the social and socio-medical field, as a supervisor/coach and as a social insurance expert, all with a federal diploma. Universities also offer Bachelor's degree courses in social work, social pedagogy and sign language interpreting, as well as Master's degree courses in social work.

There is currently no single training program for social workers in Switzerland. The Federal Statistical Office has identified a total of 208 professions in the field of social work, as many professions do not have a protected job title. Here at Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch you will therefore also find a large number of training courses and continuing education, further training courses in this field, among which you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Full-time studies usually take 3 years, part-time studies 4 to a maximum of 6 years. After this time and passing the exam, you will be awarded a Bachelor's degree.