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.

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

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.

A VSH commercial diploma and a previous VSH office management diploma can be taken at a business school. Participants complete the office diploma after one year and the VSH commercial diploma after a further eight months. The commercial diploma is comparable to a commercial apprenticeship (KV) and can also be completed in a shorter time if interested.

The VSH (Association of Swiss Commercial Schools) office management diploma is the first level of the VSH commercial courses. This diploma provides basic commercial knowledge and usually lasts one year. Building on this, the VSH commercial diploma can be acquired, which requires the office management diploma. This diploma offers you the opportunity to work as a commercial clerk, for example, or to take further courses to obtain the Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Federal VET Diploma).

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".

A VSH office management diploma or VSH commercial diploma (VSH - Association of Swiss Commercial Schools) is not the same as an apprenticeship to become an EFZ businessman or businesswoman and is not federally recognized. However, a VSH office management diploma or VSH commercial diploma offers a very good entry into a commercial career.

At a business school, you can complete continuing education, further training in business administration. This enables you to acquire basic commercial and economic knowledge and obtain a commercial college diploma. However, you must be aware of one thing: you will not be able to make up for the lack of a commercial apprenticeship. A commercial college enables career changers to enter the office. In other words, entry into a commercial profession for adult professionals with an apprenticeship without completing a commercial apprenticeship. People who have been working in the office for some time and have a job in the commercial sector can also qualify with a commercial school diploma. This professional certificate is recognized and such qualifications are important as proof of performance in today's world.

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

If you are looking to enter the office or would like to specialize in administration, we recommend the following courses: Commercial Diploma (VSH or edupool). The commercial diploma is a commercial further education course. In contrast to a commercial apprenticeship or an office diploma, you do not make up for a missing apprenticeship diploma, but expand your knowledge of business topics. In Switzerland, there are two different commercial diplomas with recognized qualifications: The edupool.ch commercial diploma (Kaufmännischer Verband Schweiz) and the VSH commercial diploma (Verband Schweizerischer Handelsschulen) from private schools.

In principle, all training or further education courses, courses and training programs that provide participants with commercial knowledge, such as office courses or the higher business diploma, can be offered at a commercial school. Training courses that are offered at a VSH business school (recognized by the Association of Swiss Business Schools), Edupool business school (recognized by the Swiss Commercial Association) or are federally regulated are recognized throughout Switzerland. You choose your commercial school qualification:

• VSH Diploma Commercial School (private commercial schools)
  • VSH office management diploma
  • VSH commercial diploma
• Diploma from Edupool.ch business school (in the Swiss Commercial Association)
• Federal certificate of proficiency in commerce (commercial apprenticeship)
• Vocational baccalaureate in the commercial field (BM1 alongside training)
• Vocational baccalaureate in the commercial field (BM2, after EFZ qualification)

The diplomas awarded by the Association of Swiss Commercial Schools VSH are recognized by the Swiss Trade Association SGV as equivalent to basic commercial training with a federal certificate of proficiency. The commercial school diploma can therefore be awarded by different associations.

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.

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)

Anyone who has to decide between a commercial school and the Advanced Business Diploma HWD will find that it is difficult to enter the HWD directly without a commercial school as a basis. The prerequisite for admission to the HWD is a basic commercial education (level commercial diploma VSH or KV). The schools may grant exceptions in the case of proven professional experience. If you do not yet have any commercial knowledge, you should always attend a commercial college first.