Communications manager: In the future, the federal government will contribute to course costs
For the last time, the communications managers—including Andreas Aebischer from Winterthur, who graduated at the top of his class—had the pleasure of hearing a speech by Urs Schneider at their graduation ceremony. The owner of the media agency bearing his name is handing over the chairmanship of the examination board to Peter Kern, Head of Product Marketing at UBS. Under his leadership, future course participants will benefit from direct federal funding covering up to 50 percent of the course costs.
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The happy graduates framed by the head of the secretariat Marlene Gonçalves and head of examinations Heinz Egli on the left and the outgoing president of the examination board Urs Schneider (far right), from left to right: Dzeneta Murtovi, Claudia Järmann, Andreas Aebischer (best of the year) and Aline Kuhn (Photos: Thomas Stuckert, Werbewoche)
A small but select group of successful graduates of the communication manager exam celebrated their diploma together with their partners on Friday, January 20, 2017, in the Zunftstube of the Zunft zum Widder in Zurich's elegant Altstadthotel of the same name. The top student in the class, Andreas Aebischer from Winterthur (grade 4.9), who works as a consultant at the Ruf ASW advertising agency in Bülach, was rewarded for his top performance by the TCS touring magazine with a substantial travel voucher. The next two runners-up, Angela Kölliker from Langenthal (4.7; Head of Marketing & Communication at the SC Langenthal ice skating club) and Aline Kuhn from Hinwil (4.6; media consultant at Mediaschneider) were, like Aebischer, rewarded by the sponsors Faber Castell, Marketing & Communication and Werbewoche for their commitment and for passing the exam. We would also like to congratulate the successful graduates Claudia Järmann (Basel), Dzeneta Murtovi (Rapperswil-Jona) and Sabine Reinacher (Niederbipp).
From 2018, the federal government will cover up to 50 percent of course costs
Not all differences have been resolved yet. But it is already clear: from January 1, 2018, the Federal Office for Professional Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) will also support participants in preparatory courses for communication planners, communication managers and copywriters with up to 50 percent of the course costs. "The modalities have not yet been finalized," explains Heinz Egli, further education officer at KS Kommunikation Schweiz. "The exact amount and timing of the payment are still under discussion. However, we are very pleased that SERI has come to its senses and is specifically promoting dual vocational training. We hope that this will give more young recruiters the courage to tackle these challenging examinations."
Urs Schneider steps down as Chairman of the Audit Committee
After many years in which he has been at the forefront and used all his experience to promote the dual training pathway in general and the federal examinations in the communications industry in particular, Urs Schneider is stepping down from the chairmanship of the examination board. His successor will be Peter Kern, Head Product Marketing at UBS. As he is currently still abroad, the official handover will not take place until later this year. KS Communication Switzerland would like to thank Urs Schneider, who has also actively contributed his expertise to the association's Board of Directors and current Communications Council for many years, for his great commitment and will officially bid him farewell at the appropriate time. Examination director Heinz Egli also attended his last communication manager diploma ceremony; he will be replaced by Pascal Chenaux, but will continue to support KS Kommunikation Schweiz with his expertise and extensive experience in all matters relating to further training in the communications industry.
