Mirjam works as a Federal VET Diploma commercial clerk in a large pharmaceutical company in Birsfelden. The 23-year-old really enjoys her job as a marketing assistant. Mirjam deals with requests for quotations from marketing service providers, takes care of incoming correspondence, prepares controlling reports and presentations. She demonstrates a high level of service orientation and good communication skills. Mirjam would like to develop further as a public relations specialist. To this end, she attends the PR specialist course. There, Mirjam learns the conceptual and strategic basics of corporate communication, choosing the right measures and channels and creating content. After completing her Federal Professional Examination, she will be able to help plan and implement communication projects and edit texts in the pharmaceutical company's communications department. Over time, Mirjam is even able to carry out her own communication tasks independently. She also writes texts for digital media and social media. Mirjam coordinates the design and production of her contributions. She can also play an important role in the planning, organization and implementation of employee events. With her federal certificate in public relations, Mirjam will be able to work in customer communication, media relations, internal communication or event organization in the future. With the recognized qualification as a PR specialist, she can take on a qualified role in the conception, planning and implementation of various PR media and PR measures or media relations coordination. Mirjam's continuing education, further training will give her additional opportunities for further development, better job opportunities and higher earnings.

Financial benefits of continuing education, further training as a PR specialist

As a PR specialist, Mirjam will receive CHF 640 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 301,000 more at her disposal by the time she retires than if she had not done any continuing education, further training.

As this theoretical calculation does not take into account any further salary increases, promotions or interest on savings, the salary can still increase significantly.

Calculation in detail "PR Specialist (FPE)"

Continuing education, further training FPE PR specialist:

• 12 months, part-time
• School fees, documents: CHF 9,900 minus CHF 4,950 federal contribution = CHF 4,950
• Exam fee: CHF 1'690
• Total training costs: CHF 6'640

Wage difference and yield calculation:

• Difference in salary between the position as a Federal VET Diploma clerk and the position as a PR specialist: CHF 6,542 - CHF 5,902 = CHF 640 per month and CHF 7,680 per year (12 x CHF 640 = CHF 7,680)
• She recoups the total training costs of CHF 6,640 in just over 10 months with her higher salary as a PR specialist (CHF 6,640 / CHF 640 per month = 10.4 months)
• In the remaining 40 years until their retirement (25 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 307,200 (40 x CHF 7,680 = CHF 307,200)
• If the training costs are deducted from this additional income, an additional sum of around CHF 301,000 remains at her disposal(CHF 307,200 - CHF 6,640 = CHF 300,560)

Sources:

• The training costs correspond to an average of the "PR Specialist (FPE)" courses offered in German-speaking Switzerland.
• Wages were calculated in the federal wage calculator www.salarium.ch with the following settings:
• Calculations as a Federal VET Diploma clerkbefore the Federal Professional Examination:
  • Region: Northwestern Switzerland
  • Sector: 21 Manufacture of pharmaceutical products
  • Occupational group: 41 General office and secretarial staff
  • Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: Completed vocational training
  • Age: 23 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: 50 and more employees
  • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
  • Special payments: no
  • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
  • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 5'902
• Calculationsafter the Federal Professional Examination "PR Specialist":
  • Region: Northwestern Switzerland
  • Sector: 21 Manufacture of pharmaceutical products
  • Occupational group: 24 Business economists and comparable academic professions
  • Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: Higher vocational training, College of Higher Education
  • Age: 24 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: 50 and more employees
  • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
  • Special payments: no
  • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
  • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 6'542

(All figures as at November 2022)

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