If you are under the age of 18 after completing compulsory schooling, some schools will not admit you to a commercial diploma course. However, other schools have a minimum age of 16 for self-study courses. Please enquire directly with the respective provider about the admission requirements.

There are three degree options for the commercial diploma:

• Internal school degree
• VSH commercial diploma
• Commercial diploma edupool.ch

The school-internal qualification is only recognized by the school that issues it. It is important that it is a proven and well-known school. In the case of the VSH commercial diploma, the diploma is issued by the Association of Swiss Commercial Schools (private schools). If this diploma is completed as basic training, the path leads via the office management diploma, the commercial diploma and entry into the last three semesters of the EFZ commercial apprenticeship with a B profile. If the VSH commercial diploma is taken as additional training as an adult with initial training (EFZ or Matura), it certifies a basic commercial qualification. This enables entry into the world of office work through the valuable addition of commercial knowledge to the first profession - but does not correspond to an EFZ as a commercial clerk. These facts about VSH supplementary training also apply to the Edupool commercial diploma. Anyone wondering whether VSH or Edupool should know: edupool.ch is an association of around 50 commercial further education centers of commercial vocational schools. This guarantees a uniform standard throughout Switzerland. When deciding between the VSH commercial diploma or Edupool, the question arises between a traditional qualification recognized throughout Switzerland with the title Kauffrau/Kaufmann VSH and corresponding recognition on the job market and a quality label for accredited commercial schools with a qualification from the Kaufmännischer Verband and renowned industry and professional associations. The Edupool level aims to close the gap between basic education and higher vocational education in the Swiss commercial education system. Thanks to the wide range of courses on offer, the degree is sure to become even better known.

The examination subjects for the VSH commercial diploma in basic commercial training (more for young people, the course includes the office management diploma) are:

• German (written and oral)
• Foreign languages: French and English (written and oral)
• Economy + Society (written)
• Project work (deepening and networking)

In the IKA (Information/Communication/Administration) area, only the experience grades are included in the examination assessment.

The VSH commercial diploma in additional commercial training (building on initial training, therefore more for adults) includes the following examination subjects:

• Communication Skills / German (written)
• IT Skills / Computer Science (with ECDL certificate) (written)
• Office Skills / Administration & Information (written)
• Finance Skills / Accounting (written)
• Business skills / business administration, economics, law (written)
• Personal skills / personality & teamwork (the school decides on the form)
• Specialization subject (written)

A survey of prospective students conducted by the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung reveals the reasons for their interest in commercial diploma training. 77% want to check at the beginning of the interest phase whether the course meets their personal needs. 15 % follow a recommendation. However, 8% of respondents are interested in the diploma because it is often required in job advertisements.

Some people get to the heart of the matter with optional text responses:

• "Diploma degree"
• "I would like to use the commercial diploma as a preliminary course for a 4-semester course as a technician in HF construction management with a specialization in gardening and landscaping."
• "I want a job where you can work from any location"
• "Because I'm looking for an apprenticeship that I can do alongside my other job, but that is also recognized."
• "For an introduction to CT work"
• "For a colleague"
• "Reorientation"
• "One step closer to my vision..."
• "This course could mean the start of a new career for me"
• "I am very interested in this further training"

The VSH commercial diploma is offered in different variants:

• VSH commercial diploma in basic commercial training (full-time day commercial school, more for young people)
• VSH commercial diploma additional commercial training (part-time courses for adults)
  • Centralized" variant (with or without specialization) with final examinations at the end of the course
  • Variant "credit" (with or without specialization subject) with credit examinations at the end of the subject area to be examined during training

If you have completed your compulsory schooling and do not yet have an apprenticeship diploma, a commercial diploma can certainly provide you with an entry into commercial professions, but it is not comparable with vocational training to become a Federal VET Diploma merchant, which is much more comprehensive and also federally recognized. However, if an apprenticeship is not possible, this diploma can be of great benefit to you. However, if you have already completed an apprenticeship in another field and now want to acquire in-depth commercial knowledge, a diploma of this kind can be of great additional benefit. However, the VSH commercial diploma should not be seen as a substitute for an apprenticeship, but rather as a supplement or preparation for a shortened basic education, adult education or full-time commercial school training to become a Federal VET Diploma merchant.

A VSH (Association of Swiss Commercial Schools) commercial diploma is a commercial course that ends with an association certificate, but not with a federal qualification. Nevertheless, this training is highly regarded, as it teaches you all the important basics of commercial work that you will need for your future career.

We have clarified this question about the commercial diploma (VSH recognition) for you. According to a survey conducted by the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch, the reasons given by participants varied:

• 31 % received a recommendation
• 52 % read an online review
• 17 % already knew the school/s

Another reason for enquiring at a commercial school for a commercial diploma course was given by a free text response: "Class times fit in with job and family", "Proximity to place of residence", "Google", "Found the school on the Internet and the offers were varied", "Location", "I have heard the name several times before", "Just check and inform", "After career advice for career changers" and "Uncomplicated contact".

The basic commercial training "VSH Commercial Diploma" provides participants with the following learning content:

• Written and oral communication and counseling skills
• Service provision
• Computerized order processing
• Support for logistical processes
• Understanding and supporting business processes
• Execution of financial tasks
• Performing administrative and organizational activities

All of this basic business knowledge combined with a good general economic education will enable you to take on a wide range of commercial processing tasks and carry them out independently.

With a commercial diploma (VSH recognition), graduates can achieve the following:

• Expands knowledge of apprenticeship qualification with economic knowledge and thus the horizon through a commercial diploma (VSH recognition)
• have a basic knowledge of business administration (business administration and economics)
• Master word processing skills with Word
• Be able to perform spreadsheet calculations with Excel
• Being able to solve commercial tasks with routine
• Further information on the world of work, accounting basics, law, mind setting, etc.
• Optimal preparation for diploma examinations at a private business school
• Entry into the office possible
• Qualification through a recognized diploma for people who have been working in an office for a long time
• Intermediate degree after the first semester with VSH office diploma
• Employment in a commercial profession - as an adult without a commercial apprenticeship
• Commercial diploma (VSH recognition) is the first step towards the higher business diploma (HWD) and can progress to this level

Those who complete the commercial diploma while working can benefit from these advantages:

• Good practical transfer through professional activity
• Earnings despite further training for a part-time commercial diploma
• If necessary, financial participation by the employer if the training is professionally relevant
• Less time required for the part-time commercial diploma
• Gain a new perspective on tasks and problems in everyday working life
• Training in stress resistance and self-organization
• Relationship network and support from superiors or team colleagues
• Company know-how for possible promotion after further training
• Good impression with future employers, as they emphasize willingness to learn, discipline and organizational skills

If you can cope with the double burden and are not afraid of the longer training period, the part-time commercial diploma may be the right choice for you.

Successful graduates can take on commercial diploma jobs that involve general commercial office work. As employees, they are proficient in using the latest Microsoft Office applications on the computer. They have the necessary business basics required for office work. Those who have completed the bilingual training (e.g. German - English) can take up a job on the international market. Continuing education, further training provides access to many commercial diploma jobs in the office:

• Internship
• Clerk activity
• Assistant activity
• Secretary/office organization work
• Customer service activity

The commercial diploma enables entry-level jobs in the office or confirms the qualifications of people who have been working in the office for some time and do not have a diploma or degree. If you then want to develop your skills in an area such as human resources, sales, accounting, purchasing, logistics, marketing or IT, you should ideally complete continuing education, further training and specialization later on. The business school also serves as a good basis and entry point for this.