Career changers in computer science: training, further education, courses, information, offers and schools at a glance

Eine Klasse mit Quereinsteiger in den Bereich Informatik
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Are you looking for an IT career changer course? - Here you will find suitable schools as well as further information, tips and resources for further training.

Would you like personal advice on IT training for career changers? Contact the provider of your choice via the "Free information on the topic..." button - without obligation, quickly and easily.

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Would you like to become an IT specialist as a career changer?

Have you already completed your vocational training, but are disappointed with your current job or not yet in the right place in your current professional field? Or have you completed your A-levels, but would like to complete an apprenticeship in IT instead of starting a degree? Or have you been working as a computer scientist in the IT sector for some time but do not have the relevant basic training and would therefore like to catch up now?

The shortened apprenticeship as a computer scientist with a federal certificate of proficiency (computer scientist career changer EFZ) is a two- or three-year apprenticeship for career changers in IT. As there is a great demand for trained IT specialists in the IT sector, this shortened basic training, which is offered in the following different areas, is very worthwhile:

Specialization in application development:

In this specialist area, career changers in IT become specialists in the field of software development. Their employers are software companies as well as insurance companies, banks or public administrations. They develop programs (applications) that are used in various processes (e.g. customer data management, controlling, production planning, payment transactions, etc.). These applications are always individually adapted to the needs of the user.

Specialization in platform development (until 2021 "systems engineering"):

In this specialization, IT career changers learn how to plan, install and maintain IT systems. For example, they evaluate workstations, servers, networks and software, take on programming tasks, complete device configurations, introduce users to the use of the systems and support them with questions or problems. They also maintain the IT networks and their applications, so they are not only specialists in the field of software, but are also very familiar with the hardware. In the event of errors and problems in the systems, they are an important point of contact and, thanks to their skills, are quick to find solutions and rectify errors.

Are you looking for specific offers from schools in the field of IT for career changers? In addition to the shortened apprenticeship as a computer scientist with an EFZ, the CompTIA Fundamentals (Cert.) course is also a good option for a career change or entry into the IT sector, as it teaches the fundamental basics of computer science. Find specific offers, guides, checklists and the opportunity for free and non-binding information documents and consultations at Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch - the largest education portal in Switzerland.

Questions and answers

The following options are available in the field of IT for career changers with basic vocational training (EFZ, not in IT):

  • Computer scientist EFZ
  • Business IT Specialist EFZ
  • Business IT specialist with a federal certificate (as a business administrator with only two years of professional experience instead of four)
  • Cyber security specialist with federal certificate
  • ICT application developer with federal certificate
  • ICT system and network technician with federal certificate
  • ICT Security Expert with federal diploma
  • Dipl. Techniker/in HF Informatik (with EZF in electronics or electrical engineering one year of professional experience instead of up to four)
  • Graduate in Business Information Technology HF (as a business administrator profile M or E)

Various factors play a role in the decision for or against training. These should be analyzed individually - even when it comes to lateral entry into IT without training. The driving factors behind the decision to complete an apprenticeship are

  • Interest in personal development
  • Getting to know new theories and solutions
  • Understanding (complex) interrelationships
  • Broadening the (knowledge) horizon
  • Or simply for the joy of change

The age limit, for example, is deliberately not relevant here.

Irrespective of the level-specific admission requirements, the following personal prerequisites should be met for a computer science course for career changers:

  • logical and abstract thinking
  • Enjoy finding solutions
  • Systematic way of working
  • quick comprehension
  • Good math skills
  • Good knowledge of German and English

Following the gymnasiale Matura, the following computer science courses can be attended by lateral entrants:

  • Computer scientist EFZ
  • Dipl. Technician HF Computer Science
  • Graduate in Business Information Technology HF
  • Business IT specialist with federal certificate
  • Cyber security specialist with federal certificate
  • ICT application developer with federal certificate
  • ICT system and network technician with federal certificate
  • ICT Security Expert with federal diploma

The following further education courses in IT for career changers are possible without basic vocational training or an upper secondary school-leaving certificate:

  • ICT specialist EFZ
  • Computer scientist EFZ
  • Business IT Specialist
  • Business IT specialist with federal certificate
  • Graduate in Business Information Technology HF
  • ICT application developer with federal certificate
  • Cyber security specialist with federal certificate
  • ICT system and network technician with federal certificate
  • ICT manager with federal diploma

Four to eight years of relevant professional experience is usually required for the further education courses and associated qualifications. Check with the educational institute which admission requirements are necessary for the chosen further education course in computer science for career changers.

There are the following typical IT career changer jobs:

  • ICT specialist
  • Computer scientist
  • Business IT Specialist
  • Business IT specialist
  • ICT Application Developer
  • Cyber Security Specialist
  • ICT system and network technician
  • ICT Manager
  • ICT Security Expert

The following IT lateral entry training is possible following a federally recognized commercial college:

  • Dipl. Technician HF Computer Science
  • Graduate in Business Information Technology HF
  • ICT Security Expert with federal diploma

Good reasons for a career change in IT:

  • can live out a talent for ICT devices and networks that they only discovered in the course of their lives
  • Retraining due to physical problems or limitations in an office job with a lot of job potential through digitalization
  • Interesting combination of supplementing acquired professional expertise with IT skills
  • IT lateral entry is possible via various educational levels: e.g. via professional examinations, higher professional examinations, postgraduate courses at higher technical colleges or universities

There are two different professional groups in the IT career changer sector:

  • BUILD: Developing ICT systems and solutions
  • RUN: Provide and operate ICT solutions for customers, support users and rectify faults

Think about which professional group you would like to train for.

Redaktionelle Leitung:

Stefan Schmidlin, Bildungsberatung, Content-Team Modula AG

Quellen

Website des Schweizerischen Sekretariats für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI , Website www.berufsberatung.ch (offizielles schweizerisches Informationsportal der Studien-, Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung) sowie Websites und anderweitige Informationen der Berufsverbände und Bildungsanbieter.

Erfahrungen, Bewertungen und Meinungen zur Ausbildung / Weiterbildung

Preview of the video «4 Schritte zur richtigen Weiterbildung»

Haven't found the right training or further education yet? Benefit from educational advice now!

Further training is not only important in order to maintain or increase professional attractiveness, investing in training or further training is still the most efficient way to increase the chances of a pay rise.

The Swiss education system offers a wide range of individual training and further education opportunities - depending on your personal level of education, professional experience and educational goals.

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The following list shows you suitable providers:

Toplisting
Address:
Hohlstrasse 535
8048 Zürich
WISS Schulen für Wirtschaft Informatik Immobilien, Grundbildung
With and for students and learners - a credo that WISS Schools for Business Informatics Real Estate not only preaches, but also lives every day.
Thanks to the courage to innovate and personal support, WISS conveys practical relevance and deepens this in the areas of: Business, IT and Real Estate.

The guidance and support through all stages of the courses and study programs make education at WISS a stage of life in which professional and personal horizons are broadened.

WISS sees industry change and digitalization as a driving force for the continuous development and optimization of its educational offerings. With many years of experience, WISS offers numerous training and further education opportunities. From vocational training to federal certificates, HF diploma studies or FH studies such as CAS / DAS / BSc or MAS in cooperation with renowned educational partners - experienced, trustworthy, competent.

From professional beginnings to university studies - WISS is always a loyal educational companion
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Strengths: Vocational training/basic training in IT (also for career changers). Practice-oriented, competent lecturers and with a focus on the digital challenges of the future.
Region: Bern, Ostschweiz, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Bern, St. Gallen, Zürich
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