What is the purpose of MarKom training / the MarKom certificate?

Markom certificate test = former Markom approval test

The preparatory course for the Markom certificate examination has multiple benefits for all those who wish to pursue a career in the Markom sector:

• The Markom courses provide the basic knowledge required for successful further training in the areas of marketing, sales and communication
• And the Markom certificate enables young professionals to start their first job or career changers to switch to the Markom area. This enables them to gain two years of professional experience in the relevant area, which is the second admission requirement for the federal professional examination.

As of 2019, the MarKom certificate examination is no longer an admission requirement for the following further training courses and qualifications, but the relevant knowledge will be tested in the professional examination:

• Marketing specialist with a federal certificate of proficiency
• Sales specialist with a federal certificate of proficiency
• Communication specialist with a federal certificate (formerly communication planner)
• PR specialist with a federal certificate of proficiency
• Copywriter with a federal certificate of proficiency

Where do people who have completed MarKom training or passed the MarKom exam work?

Those who have passed the Markom certificate examination have the specialist knowledge and skills to take on administrative tasks or an assistant function in the areas of marketing, communication, PR, sales or copywriting. For example, in the marketing, advertising or PR department of a company, an institution or a non-profit organization. Or in an advertising agency, in a media publishing house, in market research or in product management.

Target group and skills: Who is the MarKom training course for the MarKom certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The MarKom course addresses the following target groups:

• People with or without previous knowledge of marketing who want to enter this professional field

 

Persons interested in taking the MarKom exam should meet the following personal requirements:

• Sociability and communication skills
• Organizational talent
• Very good command of the German language
• Creativity

Prerequisites for admission to the MarKom training course and participation in the certificate examination:

In order to take the MarKom certificate exam, you must fulfill the following conditions by the time of the exam:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Payment of the examination fee (CHF 450.-, as of June 2023)

 

Subject matter and content of the training

The following topics are usually covered in a preparatory course for the MarKom certificate examination:

Basic knowledge:

• Business administration and economics (BWL, VWL):including the economic cycle, sectoral structure of the economy, basic functions, organization, purposes and goals of companies, etc.
• CalculationCost calculations, price calculations, calculation, budget
• LawStructure of the legal system, sources of law, types of contract, legal basis of communication

MarCom theory:

• MarketingAmong other things: marketing tasks, market definition, marketing target groups, marketing objectives, marketing instruments, market research, online marketing, e-commerce, etc.
• Commercial communicationAmong other things: Objectives, planning and procedures of commercial communication, communication instruments and their implementation options, planning and handling communication tasks, possible uses of analog, digital and electronic media, etc.
• Public Relations / Corporate CommunicationsAmong other things, the function of PR, elements of CI (corporate identity), internal and external PR resources and measures, etc.
• Sales and distributionObjectives of sales and distribution, sales forms and functions, turnover and sales planning, basic principles of quotations and complaints

Costs and financing of further training

The costs for a preparatory course for the MarKom exam are determined by the schools. There may therefore be differences. Here you will find a list of the costs you can generally expect:

• Course fees: Between CHF 2'250.- and CHF 3'800.-
• Exam fee for the MarKom certificate exam: CHF 450 (as of June 2023)
• Some providers charge extra for
  • Enrollment
  • Teaching aids
  • Training documents
  • Internal examinations and examination training

It is best to contact the provider of your choice directly regarding the possible extra costs.

* Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations have been financially supported by the federal government. Depending on this, the MarKom certificate course is accepted as a preparatory course for the professional examination. This means that if, after completing the MarKom certificate, you go on to obtain the federal certificate for marketing specialists, for example, within seven years and have not yet received any cantonal contributions for your training, 50% of the course costs paid (max. CHF 9,500) will be reimbursed by the federal government.Here you can find out morer.

Duration of study, number of lessons, time models and teaching formats

• The MarKom training course lasts approx. 4 months.
• The MarKom course comprises between 87 and 110 lessons.
• When the MarKom courses are offered varies depending on the school. As a rule, it takes place two evenings a week (sometimes also on Saturdays).
• Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine further education with your family, career and free time in the best possible way.

Degree, diploma and title

Towards the end of the MarKom training, many schools hold internal (simulation) examinations. This promises optimal preparation for the certificate examination. After successfully completing the internal exam, you will receive a so-called "school certificate".

The MarKom certificate exam is conducted online (from home or the office)

The certificate examination is structured as follows:

1. basics incl. sales (multiple choice, 40 minutes, without documents)

• Business administration and economics
• Law

2. MarKom theory (multiple choice, 60 minutes, without documents)

• Marketing
• Sales / Distribution
• Marketing communication
• PR

3. case study block 1 (text input, 40 minutes, open books)

• Analysis
• Planning
• Calculation

4. case study block 2 (text input, 40 minutes, open books)

• Marketing measures
• Communication measures
• PR measures

5. case study view 3 (text input, 40 minutes, open books)

• Sales / Distribution

 

Diploma and title

Successful graduates receive the MarKom certificate, which is recognized throughout Switzerland. Holders of such a certificate are entitled to use the following title "Markom Assistant / MarKom Assistant"

In French: "Assistant MarKom / Assistante MarKom"

In Italian: "Assistente MarKom"

In English: "MarKom Assistant"