Austria  Name of qualification  Qualified insurance specialist  Sales certificate  Educational background  Compulsory secondary school  Qualifications at various types  of schools  Occupational background  Training on the job, training off  the job  At least 18 months inhouse training  in the insurance industry  For what field of work does this  education qualify graduates?  For insurance clerks (company indoor  and in the field)  Qualification for field activities  (sales agents)  Vocational knowledge and skills  To work in different departments  of insurance companies, for brokers  and agents  Ability to sell the full range of  insurance products  Duration of the education  3 years  Apart from their in-company training  at least 18 months of special training  for their BÖV-exam  How are the examinations  carried out?  Under State supervision at  vocational schools (Special insurance  classes) Final exams after 3 years  (written and oral)  Under the responsibility of the BÖV  (written and oral) The exams are  carried out every 3 months in all  Austrian provinces at the same time  Recognition of the education /  qualification by companies in the  national insur. market  Basic qualification for work  in the insurance companies,  generally required by the  insurance industry  Special qualification for sales agents  or field staff, supported by the  companies as a requirement for  their jobs  Name of qualification  Academically qualified insurance  specialist  Insurance english (preparation and  certificate courses)  Educational background  General Certificate of Secondary  Education (GCSE) or at least 5 years  of insurance practice  No special background  Occupational background  Specially qualified employees of the  insurance industry  Qualified employees of the  insurance industry  For what field of work does this  education qualify graduates?  Qualification for work on  management level  Mainly management level, specially  for international tasks, international  connections and representations of  the companies  Vocational knowledge and skills  Skill and competence for handling  problem solutions and representing  the company internationally  Skills and competences for handling  insurance tasks on management level  Duration of the education  2 years of studies at the University  of Economics in Vienna or at the  Universities of Graz and Linz  6-week evening courses,  twice a week, trainers are  native speakers  How are the examinations  carried out?  Under State supervision  (written and oral)  Under the responsibility of the BÖV  (written and oral)  Recognition of the education /  qualification by companies in the  national insur. market  Special qualification on a higher level,  supported by the companies for  career development  Supported by the companies for  career development