Elite Sports Coach / Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education

Criteria

Information identifying the qualification

Name of qualification and awarded title

Trainerin / Trainer Spitzensport mit eidgenössischem Diplom
Entraîneur de sport d'élite avec diplôme fédéral
Allenatrice / Allenatore di sport di punta con diploma federale

Main field(s) of study for the qualification

Training for the qualification Elite Sports Coach, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education

Name of awarding institution

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, Einsteinstrasse 2, CH-3003 Bern, www.seri.admin.ch

Name of institution administering qualification

Swiss Olympic Association, swiss coach

Language(s) of instruction/examination

German, French or Italian

Information on the level of the qualification

Level of qualification

National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications: Level 6
European Qualifications Framework: Level 6
Tertiary-level qualification (professional education)

Comprised of eight reference levels, the National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications is a translation instrument. See Information on the national education system

Length of programme

The scope and duration of training are not regulated. The qualification procedure is regulated.

Access requirements

a) Federal Diploma of Higher Education as a competitive sports coach or equivalent qualification;

b) Letter of intent from the national sports federation confirming that the federation has taken note of the candidate's registration and will provide him/her with coaching development support throughout the candidate's training (including federal professional examination);

c) Work experience as an active trainer with male or female squad athletes in junior or elite competitive sport covering at least 1600 hours, 200 of which in the year of the examination (up to six weeks prior to the examination);

d) Practical skills deemed adequate by an expert from the sports association (observation of training and competition);

e) Internship covering 10 days (at least 60-80 hours) at a level recognised by the national sports association;

f) Three assessments with the Coach Developer;

g) First-aid/emergency care training recogised by the examination board.

Information on the contents and results gained

Mode of study

Federal examination

Qualification requirements

Holders of this qualification coach children and young people, adult athletes or teams in various sports and disciplines at national and international level. Their goal is to bring the athletes to the top of national or international performance, and in doing so they bear great responsibility for the sports and personal development of athletes. They work in different capacities such as head coach, assistant coach or national team coach in federations, clubs, for individual athletes or teams. They carry out their activities at home (analysis, planning, etc.), at the respective training ground or competition venue. They often work in or lead coaching teams with other specialists. Holders of this qualification also represent their employers in public and contribute to a positive image of sports through dealings with the media and the public.

Qualification details

Holders of this qualification

prepare their athletes or teams in a long-term and targeted manner for top performance in competitive and elite sports;
analyse the level and parameters of the world elite and derive consequences;
devise a strategy for performance and development goals and draw up a corresponding plan that also integrates innovative methods;
organise and lead more individualised and specialised training courses and adapt them;
prepare for competitions, analyse competitions and opponents and accompany athletes at competitions;
build and maintain a professional relationship with athletes;
accompany and support athletes in their sporting career in line with their age and level and help them to optimise and professionalise their environment;
lead athletes and teams of coaches and experts;
maintain contact with external partners and contact persons (specialists, personal coaches, etc.);
take on managerial tasks such as multi-year planning, resource analysis and budgeting;
contribute to the work of the federation and the association by scheduling, leading projects and working groups, supporting performance centres and other coaches with up-to-date specialist knowledge and by doing public relations work for the sport and the federation;
perform administrative tasks relating to training and competition activities and write concepts, proposals and reports.

Grading scheme, grade distribution guidance

The presence of the diploma confirms that the candidate has obtained the corresponding qualification.

Overall classification

The presence of the diploma confirms that the candidate has obtained the corresponding qualification.

Information on the function of the qualification

Access to further levels of training*

For an overview of the possible paths of education and training, see: "The Swiss education system".

Professional status

This qualification entitles the holder to use the legally protected title of 'Trainerin / Trainer Spitzensport mit eidgenössischem Diplom - Entraîneur de sport d'élite avec diplôme fédéral - Allenatrice / Allenatore di sport di punta con diploma federale'.

Additional information

Additional information sources

Additional information (including a description of the national education system): www.seri.admin.ch, www.berufsberatung.ch, www.bfs.admin.ch, and www.ehsm.admin.ch

Certification of the supplement

This diploma supplement refers to the following original documents: - Ordinance of 27 August 2014 on the National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications (NQF-VPQ-O, SR 412.105.1);

Examination rules dated 19 December 2019

Information on the national education system

graphic: "Swiss Education System"

Tertiary-level professional education

In Switzerland, tertiary-level education is divided into two sectors: the professional education sector and the university sector. There are two main pathways to tertiary-level professional qualifications: preparation for a federal examination for the Federal Diploma of Higher Education or the Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education; and study at a college of higher education leading to issuance of an Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education. Access to the professional education sector is open to holders of upper-secondary level vocational qualifications who have gained several years of work experience. Professional education is highly practical in nature and consistently geared to the needs of the labour market. Professional organisations establish training content and ensure the quality of training programmes and examinations. Applied learning is encouraged as it enables new expertise to be quickly implemented and ensures a rapid rate of innovation. Holders of tertiary-level professional qualifications are highly skilled professionals who are able to handle challenging tasks as well as managers taking on a high level of responsibility. Holders of professional qualifications often hold executive positions and manage their own company.

Upper-secondary level vocational education and training (VET)

State-regulated vocational education and training (VET) is the standard pathway leading to tertiary-level professional education. The Swiss VET sector comprises two-year programmes for the Federal VET Certificate as well as three- and fouryear programmes for the Federal VET Diploma. Swiss VET programmes consistently combine theory and practice and provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to work in the chosen occupation with little need for outside supervision. In addition to technical expertise, learners acquire methodological, social and personal competences. Most Swiss VET programmes are of the dual-track variety, meaning that training content is distributed across two main learning locations (vocational schools, which handle classroom instruction, and host companies, which handle apprenticeship training) and in some cases also a third learning location (branch training centres, which provide learners with training content not already covered by the first two training locations). There are also VET programmes where learners undergo full-time training at a vocational school. In both cases, it is very common for holders of vocational qualifications to be hired directly after graduation. Once holders of vocational qualifications have gained extensive work experience, they may go on to pursue tertiary-level professional education.

Swiss education system

There are two main pathways within the Swiss education system, both spanning upper-secondary and tertiary level: vocational/professional, on the one hand, and general education/university, on the other. While it is possible to switch between these two pathways at any time and at any level, in some cases, certain conditions apply. Generally speaking, the Swiss education system is highly permeable in this manner.

National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications (NQF VPQ)

Comprised of eight reference levels, the National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications (NQF VPQ) is a translation instrument. By mapping these reference levels to those found in the EUs European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF-LLL), it is possible to compare Swiss qualifications with those of other countries.

Additional information can be found here: www.sbfi.admin.ch