Specialist in childcare: training for childcare assistants, further training at schools, information at a glance

Training as a Federal VET Diploma care specialist can be completed both as subject-specific training and as generalist training.

The following specializations are available:

• Children
• People with disabilities
• People in old age

The amount you earn as a care specialist depends on your employer, your professional experience, your negotiating skills, your place of work and any bonuses. Savoir Social, the Swiss umbrella organization for the social world of work, issues general recommendations for minimum wages, which amount to CHF 820 gross per month for apprentices in their first year, CHF 1030 in their second year and CHF 1370 in their third year. For adults completing a shortened apprenticeship, a monthly gross salary of CHF 3950 is recommended for a 100% degree of employment. Following the apprenticeship, an average starting salary of between CHF 4294 and CHF 4892 can be expected (figures as of April 2024).

The following further training opportunities are available for care specialists:

• Specialist for accompanying people with disabilities (FPE)
• Team leader in social and socio-medical institutions (FPE)
• Social pedagogue (CHE)
• Activation specialist (CHE)

Federal VET Diploma care specialists accompany and care for children, young people, the disabled or the elderly in everyday life and in a wide variety of situations. In doing so, they promote the independence of the person being cared for as far as possible and support them according to the situation. The tasks of a care specialist include personal hygiene, dressing and undressing, (co-)preparing or providing food and drink, shopping, going for walks or playing, always as a supportive measure for and with the person being cared for. Creative activities such as handicrafts, singing, painting or making music are also part of the day-to-day work of care professionals, as is intensive, situation- and age-appropriate communication. A Federal VET Diploma care specialist therefore ensures a varied, interesting and structured daily routine for children, the elderly or disabled who are dependent on outside help.

Your choice of Federal VET Diploma care specialist apprenticeship will also depend on the specialization you choose. For the childcare specialization, you can complete your practical training in day nurseries and crèches, in day care homes, day care centres or with large families; for the disability care specialization, you can complete your practical training in curative education schools and facilities, in residential groups and workshops for the disabled; for the elderly care specialization, you can complete your practical training in residential groups, nursing and retirement homes or in facilities for dementia patients.

Yes, there is a specialist in care according to Art. 32 (Federal VET Diploma). This takes about two years. Adult education is intended for adults to catch up on the Federal VET Diploma. Admission to the qualification procedure (final examination) is required:

• 5 years of professional practice up to the time of the final examination, of which 2 years are 80% in supervision (part-time work is credited accordingly)
• Good to very good knowledge of German (at least B2)
• Graduation from a general education schools (can be attended externally before or during the preparatory course)
• Independent and autonomous learning (vocational school and company)

There are three options open to those interested in obtaining a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training as a care specialist (FaBe) as an adult. On the one hand, there is catch-up training on the second educational path, in which you prepare for the qualification procedure (formerly the final apprenticeship examination) independently or in special courses. On the other hand, you can have your qualifications recognized in a validation procedure with several years of professional experience in childcare and complete the missing qualifications in courses. You will receive the Federal VET Diploma as soon as you provide proof of all the required skills, even without a qualification procedure. The third option available to you is the shortened basic training for care specialists, in which you attend vocational school and your training company within two years (apprenticeship contract required) and take part in the qualification procedure.

The apprenticeship to become a care specialist with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Federal VET Diploma) is a three-year basic vocational training course.

Most cantons offer specific courses for adults with work experience.