What's 'Kauffrau' in english?

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
21
That sounds more like it.

22
That does it for me. In the US there are business schools, but I don't remember hearing of an institution calling itself a commercial school.

("Clerk" is far too broad in meaning, and in some contexts it suggests no real training or education at all, rendering the term a poor descriptor for someone who has completed Diplom-Kauffrau studies.)

23
By doing the course, I hope I would have some idea of the profession/position I was seeking on qualification, and what the equivalent term for that profession/position would be in the English speaking job market.

[not meant as a dig, but answering the question]

I wouldn't have a clue, but this is not a good comparative illustration and is somewhat irrelevant. I wouldn't need to know, if I was gaining a Swiss qualification for a position in an English speaking company. Likewise for the OP's wife, she would be familiar with Swiss languages and English.

This was roughly the point to which I was eluding.

Explains a lot.

24
No. A business school graduate is someone who has got an academic degree, like MA in Accounting.

25
Is there a difference between vocational schools and commercial schools?

26
Well, where did your girlfriend graduate? Have you thought about asking the school directly? Or try the KV Association, KV Schweiz www.kvschweiz.ch or the Berufsbildungsamt of your canton, for example Zurich: http://www.mba.zh.ch/internet/bildun...a/de/home.html .

As far as I know, there is no official translation, but they should be able to help you out. It's even harder if you have BMS (Berufsmaturität), cause then you're able to study and should be translated as something a bit higher then only Kauffrau EFZ.

27
I second that, contact the people in charge. www.igkg.ch , www.skkab.ch , www.kv-schweiz.ch , and www.rkg.ch

On the last page I found this document where they expleany what a Kaufmann/Kaufrau EFZ is; they translate it as "commercial employee". But depending on the "Typus" B, E, or M that may be a gross understatement. Anyway, I am surprised that this topic is not discussed in the Berufsschule.

28
A vocational school (like a Berufsschule or Technikum) provides training in one or more specific trades, like welding, networking, auto mechanics, etc. I've never encountered a 'commercial school' so can't speak to that.

29
It's interesting that the way the schooling is set up in Switzerland creates challenges for those trying to enter the country with outside credentials, as well as those who do their schooling here and would like to look for work elsewhere. I wonder how long this system will last. Good luck to your wife!

30
If one compares the economic performance of countries with and without a proper apprenticeship system - probably quite long.

31
The system here is actually very similar to most European countries. It is indeed the UK which is totally at odds with the rest of the world, with such a narrow post 16 system. How many other countries have a post 16 system where only 4 subjects are taken on Year 12, and only 3 for the final exams in Year 13 (A' Levels).

The term 'graduate' in a UK context is totally misleading, as it would imply a University Degree.

It is one of those things that just does not translate well and needs an explanation. It's like saying what the the Swiss equivalent of 'Toad in the hole'! Best to leave it in the original language and explain what it is. Anyway the nearest equivalent will be totally different in UK, US. OZ, CN, etc.

As said above, the translation is not important, but the job/qualification is.

32
Sure the literal translation is "clerk" but that word is just not used anymore so people don't know what that is.

If it's a vocational school, I'd go with Administrative Assistant.

If it's a professional school, I'd go with something like Management Trainee.

33
A few years ago friend's son was having the same problem while looking for work in the US; the Swiss 'Kaufmann' diploma is not understood - and therefore not valued - as the educations system is so different.

Once my friend's son used the above on his resumé (not CV ) he started to have better responses to his applications.

His take was it that the magic words 'Swiss Federal Qualification' that prompted the reviewer to read further; without that, his resumés were being dismissed as unskilled. Remember, most HR folks will only read the first few lines before deciding to bin the resumé or not.

Of course, a listing of actual skills gained via the Kaufmann diploma/apprenticeship is critical as well. One needs to assume that a non-Swiss reviewer will have no understanding of the diploma, and one needs to spell out exactly what one has been trained to do.

(It's even more difficult in that a US-style resüme is should only be 1-2 pages. Good luck explaining a foreign education system in brief. )

Sending best wishes to your wife with the job search...

34
That groan was uncalled for, since I was just replying trying to help.

The best discription could be Business Administrator.

Since you think Clerk is too lowly or broad.

35

36
"Business Administrator" is not really used, at least I've never heard of it. I would also suggest if that term would to be used it would be too high for this traineeship.

A clerk is not "lowly" but it isn't a full fledged manager or administrator either.

37
Wow thanks for all of those great answers.

My wife is setting her CV up in a new layout so that she can use some of the descriptions of the apprenticeship instead of the "exact" title as there is no such thing.

So thanks again! you were a great help!