Online or face-to-face: which course should you choose in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, continuing professional development has undergone a profound transformation in recent years. Whereas face-to-face learning was once the natural norm, distance learning has gained lasting legitimacy, driven by high-performance platforms and employers who are increasingly open to flexibility. As a result, professionals and businesses now face a genuine choice, rather than a foregone conclusion. At OSAM Training, where every year we support hundreds of adults and organisations in achieving eduQua certification and the federal patents, this question inevitably comes up at the start of any journey. Here’s how to tackle it sensibly.

Face-to-face learning: the training experience at its most tangible

Face-to-face training remains unrivalled in certain specific respects. It offers a structured environment, direct contact with the trainer and, above all, a group dynamic that encourages practical scenarios, role-play and spontaneous discussions. For professions where practical experience is paramount, SME management, HR specialist, finance and accounting specialist, real estate, these face-to-face interactions speed up the development of professional skills that are difficult to teach remotely. Face-to-face learning also fosters networking: the connections forged between participants during a certification course often develop into lasting professional contacts, a significant advantage in the Swiss business ecosystem, where recommendations carry considerable weight.

The downside is the logistical burden. Commuting, fixed working hours and imposed availability: these are all real obstacles for workers who are already juggling their professional lives with personal commitments.

Distance learning: flexibility to support skills development

Online training is the perfect solution to these constraints. It allows you to learn at your own pace, whether you’re in Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich or elsewhere, without having to take time off work. For the modules on languages, soft skills or management, this flexibility acts as a catalyst: learners progress at a pace that suits their availability and energy levels, which often improves retention of what they have learnt. It is also a more affordable option, as travel and infrastructure costs are eliminated.

The limitations of distance learning lie elsewhere: the self-discipline required to stick with a course over the long term, and the difficulty of replicating certain practical exercises or oral assessments on screen, particularly for courses leading to a federal certificate, where the final examination requires very practical preparation.

What the reality on the ground in Switzerland reveals

In practice, the question is almost never «which is the best format» but «which one suits this role, this profile, or this stage of life». A manager preparing for a specialisation in human resources leading to a federal certificate does not have the same needs as an employee wishing to improve their business English alongside their job. The former will benefit from face-to-face practical workshops focusing on interview scenarios or conflict management. The latter will make faster progress with short, regular online sessions that fit into their timetable.

This is why reputable training organisations, such as OSAM Formations, which hold eduQua accreditation, never offer a single, one-size-fits-all format by default: each course is tailored to the learner’s objectives, availability and preferences, with a network of trainers able to deliver both face-to-face and online.

Hybrids are often the best solution

In practice, the model that is becoming increasingly prevalent in Switzerland is a hybrid one: an online theoretical foundation, supplemented by face-to-face sessions focusing on practical application, case studies and assessment. This format combines the best of both worlds – the flexibility of distance learning and the practical focus of face-to-face learning – whilst remaining compatible with a busy work schedule. This is particularly the case for many certified training programmes, where the theoretical modules are delivered digitally whilst exam days or workshops remain face-to-face.

Regardless of the format, the decisive factor always remains the same: the intended objective. A certification recognised by a Swiss professional association often imposes specific format requirements. Personal skills development, on the other hand, offers complete freedom. Before making a choice, it is therefore best to ask yourself the right questions: what are the practical demands of the course, how much time do I actually have available, do I need a structured environment to stay motivated, and what is the recognised format for the certification I am aiming for?.

At OSAM Formations, our role is precisely to help every learner – whether an employee or a business – identify the format best suited to their objectives, even before they choose a programme. This support often makes the difference between simply attending a training course and one that genuinely transforms a career path.