What does the everyday working life of business IT specialists with a federal certificate look like?

Business IT specialists have both business management skills and a sound understanding of ICT. They are therefore often referred to as "bridge builders" who "translate" between management and ICT.

Business IT specialists work in companies of all sizes and in all sectors that use, sell or distribute ICT systems or provide advice on ICT. Their work varies depending on the size of the company. In smaller companies, for example, they act as all-rounders who carry out many tasks independently. In large companies, they work together with other ICT specialists and business administrators and often manage a small team and special projects.

One of the core tasks of business IT specialists is to ensure stable ICT solutions. To this end, they take care of ICT projects - development, support, administration, analysis and evaluation - and take on responsible roles in all phases.

For example, they clarify the resource requirements, technical requirements and costs. They also plan and monitor deadlines and the budget. When introducing new ICT systems, they ensure a smooth transition and support users, for example by providing training.

Business IT specialists are also responsible for the operational implementation of a company's or organization's ICT strategy. In doing so, they actively support the management. They keep abreast of the latest developments on the market so that they can assess the impact on their own company and initiate changes in good time.

Remember: The distribution/weighting/frequency of tasks can vary greatly depending on the job profile and function as well as the company (size, sector, etc.).

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination to become a business IT specialist with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the professional examination for "Business Information Systems Specialist" are aimed at the following target group:

• ICT professionals who are interested in economic issues and would like to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills.
• ICT specialists who want to take a more generalist approach to their career and expand their professional activities in the direction of departmental and company management.
• Determined business people with ICT experience who would like to prove their skills with a federal certificate.
• Business people with professional experience in ICT who want to put their role as a mediator between IT and business management on a solid footing.

Business informatics specialists (BP) should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Organizational talent, independence
• An eye for the big picture - but also for detail
• Flexibility
• Sense of responsibility
• Team player
• Good communication skills
• Negotiating skills
• Patience, perseverance
• Logical thinking
• Leadership qualities

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for business IT specialists:

In order to take the professional examination for the Federal Certificate in Business Information Technology, you must meet the following requirements by the examination date or examination registration date:

• Apprenticeship (EFZ) in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) and at least 2 years of professional experience in the ICT sector

Or

• EFZ as a commercial clerk and at least 2 years of professional experience in the ICT sector

Or

• Federal certificate of proficiency or other qualification (high school diploma, technical diploma, vocational diploma or equivalent qualification) and at least 4 years of professional experience in the ICT sector.

You will be notified in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you have been admitted to the professional examination. If you receive a rejection letter, you will be given a reason.

It is not mandatory to attend a preparatory course for admission to the professional examination. However, as the preparatory courses are very specifically geared towards the requirements of the professional examination, course participation is generally highly recommended.

Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for business IT specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration.

Would you only like to attend the course but not complete the BP? This is possible at some schools. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly.

Subject matter and content of the training

The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for business IT specialists is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz. The sponsoring body is also responsible for the periodic review of the professional examination. This review ensures that the knowledge and skills taught are up to date, i.e. that they always meet the current requirements of the job market.

The following topics are covered in a preparatory course for business IT specialists:

• Business EngineeringModeling, analyzing and optimizing business processes, delimiting systems and defining requirements, evaluating IT solutions
• Business ManagementObserve and evaluate innovations and trends, calculate and evaluate the profitability of ICT projects, carry out business analyses, calculate and budget expenditure for ICT projects
• Data ManagementDesign and ensure quality management
• Project ManagementLead and support teams, plan, manage and monitor projects
• Security / Risk ManagementEnsure security and compliance
• Service ManagementDevelop and agree ICT service, monitor and improve ICT service operations

Costs and financing of further training

The costs for further training in business informatics differ depending on the provider. Not so the examination fee - this is set by the sponsor of the federal examination.

In general, the following costs must be expected for further education in business informatics.

• Course feesBetween CHF 14,400 and CHF 16,000, of which you will receive up to 50% back from the federal government upon application (regardless of the result).
• External examination feeCHF 2,900 (as of June 2023). Candidates pay the examination fee as soon as they have received notification of admission.
• With some providers you have to payadditional costsfor example for enrollment, teaching materials and training documents, internal examinations or simulation examinations. We recommend that you contact the provider of your choice directly. Ask what extra costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.

Duration of study, teaching times, teaching methods and learning effort

• Depending on the provider, the extra-occupational and modular business IT specialist course lasts two to four semesters.
• When the preparation course takes place is determined independently by the educational institutions. Lesson times can therefore vary. The courses are often offered on two evenings or one full day per week.
• Many schools now offer different forms of teaching. In addition to traditional face-to-face teaching, there are also online courses, such as online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning. You are sure to find a continuing education course in business informatics with teaching formats that suit you. By the way: You can find a helpful overview of the different teaching formats and their characteristics in the answers.
• Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. 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 4-6 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 teaching and learning atmosphere - both important aspects on the way to a successful degree. Contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

If at least 25 candidates meet the admission requirements after the announcement, the professional examination is held every year, otherwise every two years. Candidates can decide for themselves in which language (German, French or Italian) they wish to be examined.

Candidates receive the invitation at least four weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program and the list of experts.

The professional examination for business IT specialists is structured as follows (examination part, examination type, time, weighting):

1) ICT concept: written (project work prepared in advance) and oral, 45 minutes, weighting: 50%

In this part of the examination, candidates develop a concept in advance. In it, they deal with a problem from ICT practice and design a feasible solution. The formal and content-related specifications and requirements are set out in the appendix to the guidelines (you will find the link to this in the answers)

In addition to the written project work, there is an oral examination. Here, candidates present their project work to two experts and then answer their questions in a technical discussion.

2) ICT Management and Operations: written, 240 minutes (4 h), weighting: 25%

In the second part of the examination, candidates work on one or more case studies. In addition, there are several mini-cases in which the candidates deal with the implementation of the ICT strategy, introduction and evaluation of ICT solutions, optimization of business processes and the operation of ICT solutions.

3) Project management and leadership: oral, 60 minutes, weighting: 25%

Candidates work through two critical work situations. This tests their ability to act decisively, in a structured, considered and correct manner, even in problematic situations.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Business IT specialist with a federal certificate".

In French: "Informaticienne de gestion avec brevet fédéral / Informaticien de gestion avec brevet fédéral"

In Italian: "Informatica di gestione con attestato professionale federale / Informatico di gestione con attestato professionale federale"

In English: "Business Informatic Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" Attention: Please remember that the English title is only a suggested translation and is not a protected title.