More professionalism in dealing with guests

It is aimed at employees in customer-facing professions who want to develop their skills in communication, marketing, event management and personality. The federal professional examination under the direction of the Swiss Tourism Federation will take place at the end of 2019."For years, I have been committed to promoting hospitality and service quality in Swiss companies. That's why I immediately accepted when the director of the EBZ Solothurn-Grenchen, Christian Meister, asked me whether I would like to design and lead the new training course at the EBZ."Manfred Ritschard, a well-known management consultant and communications coach in the tourism industry, is convinced that the new course will be launched on November 5, 2018 with enough participants. Christian Meister also firmly believes that the time is right for this further training course:"Solothurn is located in the middle of a region where many people work in customer-facing professions who are looking for a career change into tourism or simply want to do their job more professionally."

The federal government pays half of the participation fees

The federal government will cover 50 percent of the participation fees if the federal professional examination is taken at the end of the course. The course runs from November 5, 2018 to November 12, 2019 and comprises 336 lessons spread over 42 days (Mondays and Tuesdays, approximately twice a month). The course also includes specialist excursions. After each of the four modules "Customer Care", "Offer Design and Event Management", "Communication and Distribution" and "Self-Management", a module examination is taken during the course, and the final professional examination is conducted by the Swiss Tourism Association. Anyone who has passed all four module examinations and has a foreign language certificate at level B1 will be admitted to the examination. In addition to a good knowledge of German, other admission requirements include a completed vocational training program, a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. At the time of the examination, two years of professional experience are required, at least one year of which must be in customer reception, customer service or event organization.

Guest advisors are also in demand in trade and industry

It is not only in tourism that trained guest relations managers are needed. Such communication professionals with their high service orientation and comprehensive understanding of tourism, service quality and experience staging are also in great demand in trade and industry, museums, theaters, clinics, sports centers, event organizers, etc. Information on the professional examination is provided by the Swiss Tourism Association. Information on the course is available from EBZ Solothurn.About the EBZ Solothurn-GrenchenThe EBZ Solothurn-Grenchen is an EduQua-certified further education institute of the Canton of Solothurn. As a sub-school, it is organizationally part of the Solothurn-Grenchen Vocational Training Centre. Its core competence lies in the area of preparatory courses for the professional examination with a federal certificate and the higher professional examinations with a federal diploma (tertiary B).information event27. September 2018, 18:00 - 19:00 at the EBZ Solothurn(please register at the EBZ office phone 032 627 79 30,e-mail: [email protected])Here you can find more information:EBZ SolothurnAdministration: Fabienne KummerTel: +41 32 627 79 30; [email protected]; http://bbzsogr.so.chHead of the course: Manfred RitschardTel. +41 43 499 89 70; [email protected]; www.manfredritschard.comSwiss Tourism AssociationExam management: Stella HaederTel. T +41 31 307 47 46; [email protected]; www.stv-fst.ch