Fachwirt

A Fachwirt is a higher professional certification in Germany allocated to level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework, where it was translated to Business Management Specialist.

To facilitate appreciation of the Fachwirt internationally, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag, DIHK) proposed Bachelor Professional as the English translation.[1][2] However, due to the danger of confusion with academic degrees, this motion was rejected by the German state ministers of education. Yet, this has not stopped the IHK institutions from issuing certificates in English that show the title "Bachelor Professional" in big letters, with only a small note at the bottom of the page that it is not a university degree. However, owners of the certificate must be very careful not to come into conflict with § 132a Abs. 2 of the German criminal code by using the title in relation to someone located in Germany. Applying for a position solely outside of Germany with the certificate is arguably not affected, however (and is the original purpose of the translation). A legally grey area may be the use of the title on career networks on the Internet (which is actually quite common), where both German and foreign companies are targeted at the same time. Germany's government decided to reform the vocational training act for 2020 and officially introduce the professional title of "Bachelor Professional" for all Level 6 qualifications under the vocational training act.

Characteristics

The Fachwirt provides a form of continuing professional development, which is usually pursued following an apprenticeship and at least one year of professional experience in a recognized occupation. The final examinations, regulated by the German Vocational Training Act, are carried out by specialized committees of the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). Learning objectives, defined by DIHK created frameworks, require knowledge in business administration as well as practical and theoretical skills in a particular industrial sector (e.g. Handelsfachwirt for Trade and Commerce, Verkehrsfachwirt for Transport Management, Fachwirt im Sozial- und Gesundheitswesen for Social and Health Services).

Although not a prerequisite for admission to the final exams, training courses are offered by several, primarily private educational institutions. Depending on the specialization, the curricula suggest coursework of 400 to 800 hours, which is taught in 6 to 24 months of full-time or part-time study, respectively, comparable to almost a full term at university which carries 30 ECTS representative of 900 hours of course work.

References
  1. Bachelor professional CCI
  2. "Für mehr Durchlässigkeit zwischen beruflicher Bildung und Hochschulbildung!" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-02. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
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