Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirt/Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirtin

Preparatory courses for the examination take place, for example, at educational institutions within the book industry. Learning locations include training rooms for in-person events and home environments for online learning units.

This is an advanced training profession at the 'Bachelor Professional' level. It is an advanced training examination regulated by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Participation in preparatory courses is not mandatory. The duration is approximately 14 months (part-time). Bachelor Professionals in book retail management lead specialist departments in book retail. They establish guidelines for the purchase and presentation of books and electronic media. In the publishing sector, they assume leadership roles in manufacturing and production. They also purchase materials, production resources, and services for typesetting and printing. In book wholesale, they work in stock assortment or publisher distribution, buy and sell rights and licenses, and manage personnel and accounting. Employment is found in book retail companies.

Part-time: approximately 14 months.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Preparatory courses for the advanced training examination can be financially supported according to the 'Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz' (Advanced Training Promotion Act). Further information: 'Aufstiegs-BAföG - Aufstieg mit Förderung' (Advanced BAföG - Advancement with Funding). Promotion of particularly talented young professionals: 'Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium' (Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Vocational Education - Advanced Training Scholarship).

Business-related qualifications include economics (e.g., macroeconomic fundamentals, business functions and their interaction), accounting (e.g., financial accounting, cost and performance accounting), law and taxes (e.g., legal contexts, tax law provisions), and corporate management (e.g., business organization, personnel management). Action-specific qualifications include marketing in the book trade (e.g., marketing concepts, assortment policy), book and media economics (e.g., literary criticism, controlling in the book trade), and leadership and collaboration (e.g., conflict management, moderation of project groups).

In-depth knowledge in the following areas are good prerequisites for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Economics/Law (e.g., to prepare business documents) and Mathematics (e.g., to complete tasks in the area of finance and accounting).

This advanced training consists of theoretical lessons and, if necessary, practical exercises. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Teaching hours are usually part-time advanced training on weekends or in the evening. The learning format is typically combined learning (e.g., Blended Learning): Face-to-face events in a classroom setting at the educational institution and self-directed learning from home via electronic learning platforms and systems.

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirt/in: Marketing and Advertising Sector: Business Administrator (Fachschule) for general business administration/Bachelor Professional in Economics, Certified Business Specialist (Geprüfter Wirtschaftsfachwirt/Geprüfte Wirtschaftsfachwirtin). Commonality: Taking on specialist and leadership tasks in marketing and sales. Trade Sector: Certified Trade Specialist (Geprüfter Handelsfachwirt/Geprüfte Handelsfachwirtin) (advanced training), Certified Specialist for Sales in Retail (Geprüfter Fachwirt für Vertrieb im Einzelhandel/Geprüfte Fachwirtin für Vertrieb im Einzelhandel) (advanced training). Commonality: Taking on specialist and leadership tasks in the commercial processing of work processes.

1970s: Development of the Fachwirt (specialist) advanced training under the leadership of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHT). 1998: First entry into force of a legal regulation for the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) advanced training examination for Buchhandelsfachwirt/in (Book Trade Specialist). 2020: Amendment of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO): Among other things, the introduction of the advanced training qualifications "Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in" (Certified Professional Specialist), "Bachelor Professional," and "Master Professional" to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations. 2024: Entry into force of the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act with adjustments to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO): Among other things, the introduction of a determination and certification procedure (vocational validation) of individual professional competence based on the standard of a recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) independently.

Qualification Title: Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirt/Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirtin (IHK).

Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirt or Buchhandelsfachwirtin is a vocational advanced training. The examination is regulated by the legal provisions of the respective Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It is not necessary to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After completing this advanced vocational training (Weiterbildung), Bachelor Professionals Buchhandelsfachwirte and Buchhandelsfachwirtinnen can find employment, for example, in bookstores, antiquarian bookshops, or in magazine and book publishing houses. They can maintain, update, and expand their specialist knowledge through adaptive further training (Anpassungsweiterbildung). The range of topics covers everything from book trade to finance and accounting. To advance professionally, individuals can pursue advanced training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) specifically designed for graduates of these programs, building on existing qualifications. A natural progression is to take the examination as a Business Administrator (Betriebswirt/in) according to the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz). With their advanced training qualification, Bachelor Professionals Buchhandelsfachwirte and Buchhandelsfachwirtinnen can also gain access to university studies (Studium) even without a general higher education entrance qualification (schulische Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in book studies.

For the examination, the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations. For example, there are specific legal provisions for the recognized qualification Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirt (IHK Frankfurt am Main)/Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirtin (IHK Frankfurt am Main) from November 20, 2024 (IHK Frankfurt am Main). An overview of the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce is also available: Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirt/Bachelor Professional Buchhandelsfachwirtin (IHK), regulations of the responsible bodies for vocational advanced training.

The prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination is generally: a final examination as a bookseller (Buchhändler/in) or in another recognized vocational training occupation (Ausbildungsberuf) and corresponding professional experience in the book trade OR at least 5 years of professional experience in the book trade. If a corresponding educational qualification is missing, a validation procedure (Validierungsverfahren) allows for the proof of professional knowledge and skills.