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Training professions in Switzerland

Automation engineer EFZ
Automation technology GFPS

Job description

Automation engineers build electrical control systems, apparatus, machinery or automation systems, put them into operation, carry out repairs, and prepare technical documents. 

Requirements

  • Technical understanding  
  • Interest in new technologies, electrical engineering, and technical complexities  
  • Understanding of abstract relationships  
  • Good spatial skills
  • Skilful hands for accurate work  
  • Appreciation of accurate and careful working  
  • Patience, endurance, and concentration  
  • Good team skills  
  • Independence  
  • Reliability 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years (shorter apprenticeships or WayUp options are possible with a school leaving examination (Matura)) 
  • School education: 2 days a week 
  • Vocational school-leaving certificate: possible with good results

Locations

(Subingen as of 2023 / Sissach as of 2024)

Plant operator EFZ
Plant manager GFPS Seewis 2022

Job description

As a plant operator, you will learn to operate and monitor production and packaging systems.  

Activities

  • Setting up, reconstructing and maintaining production facilities  
  • Manufacturing and packaging products  
  • Carrying out small maintenance work and repairing production faults  
  • Quality monitoring on the ongoing process  

Requirements

  • Technical understanding: basic understanding of technical equipment and mechanical processes   
  • Manual and practical skills  
  • Precise, careful working style, and logical thinking  
  • Reliability and responsibility   
  • Willingness to work irregular working hours (shift work)  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years  
  • School education: Block weeks  
  • Vocational school-leaving certificate: Possible 

Locations  

  • Seewis  
Design engineer EFZ
Design engineer Biel 2021

Job description

As a design engineer, you will design and develop individual parts and assemblies for plants and machinery. 

Activities

  • Preparing production, assembly, and test documents 
  • Operation and maintenance of the products 

Requirements

  • Economic thinking 
  • Systematic approach to work  
  • Good team skills  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years 
  • School education: 2 days a week 

Locations

Electronics engineer EFZ
Electronics engineer

Job description

You will design and construct electronic circuits, make electronic devices and equipment, and develop software.  

 

Activities

  • Planning, developing, programming, and producing electronic hardware and software 
  • Using connection and assembly techniques 

Requirements

  • Understanding of abstract relationships  
  • Analytical thinking  
  • Technical understanding  
  • Good team skills  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years 
  • School education: 2 days a week 

Locations

  • Losone 
Plastics engineer EFZ
Plastics engineer GFPS

Job description

As a plastics engineer, you will plan production processes, develop customer-specific applications, and take care of the maintenance of plants and machinery.   

Activities

  • Drilling, milling, sawing, and welding 
  • Monitoring production processes 
  • Applying different manufacturing and machining procedures

Requirements

  • Interest in and technical understanding of machinery 
  • Pleasure in setting up and operating production plants 
  • Good spatial skills
  • Manual skills 
  • Precise working methods 
  • Independence 
  • Flexibility in working hours 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years 
  • Vocational school: 2 days a week 

Locations

Logistics manager EFZ
Logistics manager GFPS

Job description

As a logistics manager, you transport, store and distribute goods. 

Activities

  • Collecting, controlling, and booking in goods 
  • Professional storage of goods  
  • Checking inventory
  • Picking goods for customer orders 

Requirements

  • Manual skills 
  • Reliability and responsibility 
  • Stamina and focus
  • Service awareness 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years 
  • School education: 1 day a week 

Locations

Production mechanic EFZ
Production mechanic

Job description

As a production mechanic, you will put together equipment and machinery and manufacture and process components made of metal and plastic.  

Activities

  • Quality assurance 
  • Performing maintenance and commissioning  
  • Processing orders and projects 

Requirements

  • Interest in technical complexities
  • Systematic and careful working manner 
  • Patience and perseverance 
  • Good team skills 
  • Reliability 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years 
  • Vocational school: 1 day a week 

Locations

  • Biel 
Building cleaner EBA
Building cleaner

Job description

Building cleaners are responsible for cleaning and maintaining buildings and means of transport. They choose a suitable cleaning method, use the correct cleaning agents, and ensure correct operation of the cleaning machines, thereby helping to maintain the value of the buildings.  

Activities

  • Cleaning and maintaining buildings and means of transport 
  • Using different cleaning methods 
  • Operating cleaning machines 

Requirements

  • Practical understanding   
  • Good constitution and physical mobility   
  • No allergies (to cleaning products)   
  • Good head for heights   
  • Team skills and good manners  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 2 years  
  • School education: 1 day a week  

Locations

  • Sissach

Casting engineer EFZ 
Casting engineer

Job description

In our foundry, casting engineers produce high-quality products made of copper alloys for our fittings in the drinking-water sector using an automatic moulding system in the sand casting process. As a casting engineer, you are an all-rounder when it comes to casting. You will learn about the production process for cast products, the materials used, and the various processes involved.  

Activities

  • Processing steel, iron, heavy and light metal alloys  
  • Planning, monitoring, and optimising production  
  • Designing and developing models and moulds  
  • Performing casting tests  
  • Developing new processes  

Requirements

  • Good secondary education (Swiss level A or E)   
  • Pleasure in craft work   
  • Logical and analytical thinking and good imagination  
  • Technical understanding and interest in technical complexities   
  • Precise and careful working methods   
  • Physical strength 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years  
  • School education: 1 day a week  

Locations

  • Sissach

Business IT specialist EFZ
Business IT specialist 2020

Job description

As a business IT specialist, you will be an all-rounder. You will be familiar with systems engineering and software development. You will support our employees with information technology problems, put new devices into operation, support networks, and develop programs further.  

Activities

  • Processing and fulfilling the orders and wishes of the customers  
  • Developing applications  
  • Building databases  
  • Operation and administration of server applications and networks  
  • Commissioning ICT devices  
  • Participating in internal IT projects  

Requirements

  • Very good school leaving certificate (STEM subjects)  
  • Logical, abstract and joined-up thinking, as well as creativity in finding solutions  
  • Ability to grasp ideas quickly and good ability to concentrate  
  • Systematic and organised working methods  
  • Good English skills  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years  
  • School education: 2 days a week  
  • Vocational school-leaving certificate: possible

Locations

Business administrator EFZ  
Management assistant Biel 2021

Job description

As a business administrator, you will be able to experience various different departments, such as purchasing, sales, human resources, reception and the information centre and take on various exciting tasks in the respective area. An apprenticeship with us is a good foundation for your career and offers a lot of variety.   

Activities

  • Performing various tasks in administration   
  • Writing letters, minutes, and contracts   
  • Creating reports   
  • Obtaining offers, creating orders, checking order confirmations   
  • Handling correspondence with internal and external customers and suppliers   
  • Planning and organising meetings and events   
  • Handling emails and answering phone calls   
  • Greeting guests   

Requirements

  • Good school leaving certificate (very good German as well as good school knowledge of English or French and Italian)  
  • Great motivation, reliability and organisational skills  
  • Pleasure in administrative tasks and working on the computer  
  • Logical and joined-up thinking  
  • Teamwork and pleasure in dealing with people  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years   
  • School education: 2 days a week   
  • Vocational school-leaving certificate: possible

Locations

 

Plastics technician EBA
Plastics producer Schaffhausen 2020

Job description

Plastics technicians manufacture plastic products. Machines and production facilities are set up and production processes are monitored and controlled.

Activities

  • Setting up and monitoring machinery and production equipment
  • Product quality assurance   
  • Knowledge of the various plastics and their properties

Requirements

  • Compulsory schooling completed
  • Technical understanding and manual skills  
  • Accurate work  
  • Pleasure in setting up and operating machinery

Vocational training

  • Duration: 2 years   
  • School education: 1 day a week   
  • Vocational school-leaving certificate: Not possible  

Locations

  • Seewis
Multi-skilled mechanic EFZ
Multi-skilled mechanic GFPS

Job description

Multi-skilled mechanics (also known as polymechanics) produce parts from metals and plastics in different shapes and sizes. They use modern, often computer-assisted drilling, turning, milling, and grinding machines, as well as many other machine tools. Programming is usually done using 3D computer programs. They come up with design solutions and build prototypes.

Activities

  • Making tools, devices and aids for production or prototypes for development  
  • Producing mechanical workpieces on conventional drilling, milling and turning machines  
  • Programming workpieces on modern computer-controlled machines  
  • Determining the production steps based on design or production drawings and putting them into practice  
  • Inspecting manufactured workpieces with precise measuring and testing instruments  
  • Carrying out pre-assembly or final assembly on systems and machinery, as well as commissioning and maintenance work on the systems  
  • Involvement in contracts and projects in cooperation with other experts  
  • Developing design solutions and preparing technical documents  

Requirements

  • Interest in technical complexities and mechanics  
  • Abstract, logical thinking, and manual skills  
  • Good spatial skills
  • Stamina and patience as well as precise and thorough working methods  
  • Good mathematics and physics skills  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years   
  • School education: 1 day a week   
  • Vocational school-leaving certificate: possible

Locations

  • Biel
  • Losone
  • Seewis
  • Sissach   
  • Langnau 
ICT specialist EFZ
ICT specialist

Job description

As an ICT professional, you will install and configure ICT user terminals. You also ensure their operation in network infrastructures and support users in utilising ICT resources.  

Activities

  • Installing and configuring ICT user terminals 
  • Instructing users in handling the devices  
  • Recognising the needs and concerns of users 
  • Creating user manuals and checklists  

Requirements

  • Abstract and logical thinking 
  • Good team skills 
  • Systematic working methods 
  • Service awareness 
  • Organizational skills  

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3 years 
  • Vocational school: 1-2 days a week 

Locations

  • Biel
Media specialist EFZ
Media specialist Schaffhausen

Job description

As a media specialist, you will work with various media techniques and media channels. You will run websites and social media channels, and develop advertising materials such as flyers and brochures. 

Activities

  • Developing and implementing analog and digital marketing concepts
  • Using communication tools in a targeted manner 
  • Developing designs 
  • Designing and preparing graphical elements
  • Creating and maintaining web pages in a user-friendly manner 
  • Recording and processing raw digital data

Requirements

  • Abstract and logical thinking  
  • Good team skills  
  • Systematic working methods  
  • Creativity
  • Organizational skills   

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years  
  • Vocational school: 2 days a week    

Locations


Training Professions in Austria

Electronics engineer
Electrical engineering - Systems and operating technology

Job description

As an electrical engineer with a focus on systems and operating technology, you will usually be the first point of contact in the case of faults or system failures. You will get an overview of the situation and respond quickly to get the systems back up and running.

Activities

Our modern and fully automatic production facilities have to be available at all times. You will be involved in the process of getting new equipment up and running right from the start and then will be responsible for the professional maintenance and repairs of the electrical equipment. 

You will learn to understand technical wiring and circuit diagrams so that you can systematically get to the bottom of any errors and faults. You will also learn how to check electrical functions and systems. Our systems are highly automated and complex. This requires professionals who are trained in programming robots and controllers. 

Requirements

  • Technical skills
  • Manual and practical skills
  • Team skills and good manners
  • Reliability

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3.5 years 
  • Vocational school: Eibiswald (for Altenmarkt), Amstetten (for Herzogenburg) 

Locations

  • Altenmarkt
  • Herzogenburg 
Industry 4.0 Electronics engineer
Automation engineer GFPS Seewis 2022

Job description

Industry 4.0 Electrical engineering
Systems and operating technology
Automation and process control technology 

The digital transformation is in full swing here and with us, you will have the opportunity to support our company in its transformation on the front line. In addition to the already extensive tasks of an electrical engineer, as an Industry 4.0 apprentice, you can get yourself ready for the challenges of the future right now.  Networked factory, flexible production, human-machine interaction, etc. are just a few keywords. 

Activities

Among other things, you will learn how to handle complex, networked systems and you will also learn how different systems communicate in terms of their control, regulation and drive technology, and master how they work in IT systems, software solutions and their various links in production. 

Requirements

  • Manual skills and the ability to grasp ideas quickly 
  • Interest in mathematics and physics 
  • Technical understanding 
  • Logical and analytical thinking 
  • Creativity in troubleshooting 
  • Good IT knowledge 

Vocational training

  • Duration of vocational training: 4 years 
  • Vocational school: Stockerau 

Locations

  • Herzogenburg 
Casting technology
Casting engineer

Job description

As a casting engineer, you will be involved in every step of production that goes in to making our die-cast parts. Your tasks will span the entire production process of a cast part: You will undertake the assembly of the metal alloy, the melting, the casting and the subsequent processing. During production changeovers, you will help with the conversion and adjustment of the die casting system. 

Activities

You will perform tests such as x-rays, melt assessments, etc., to recognise and analyse casting errors and independently takes steps to remedy them or stop them from happening in future. You will also learn the basics of metal working during your apprenticeship. This includes welding, thermal separation, and quality assurance. After your vocational training, you will have it all - you will be a specialist across the entire casting process. 

Requirements

  • Good observation skills 
  • Interest in physical and technical processes 
  • Technical skills 
  • Good spatial skills 
  • Ability to cope with a heavy workload 
  • Good awareness of safety and security 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years 
  • Vocational school: Neunkirchen 

Locations

  • Altenmarkt
  • Herzogenburg 
Metal technology / Mechanical engineering / Automation technology
Metal technology - Mechanical engineering - Automation technology

Job description

Your tasks will include manufacturing, assembly, installation, and commissioning, as well as maintenance and repair of machinery, machine parts, and systems. This will enable you to learn from the ground up how mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems in our production facilities work together. 

Activities

You will work on the setup and commissioning of new systems and be involved in retrofitting and modernization work on existing facilities. 

You will use this knowledge in a wide variety of areas, starting with die-casting through to high-precision machining systems, taking responsibility for smooth production processes. All these tasks will ask a lot of you, your ideas, and your manual skills! 

Requirements

  • Good spatial thinking and ability to grasp ideas quickly 
  • Excellent manual skills 
  • Interest in the construction and functioning of technical devices 
  • Interest in working with metal 
  • Ability to stay calm even in stressful situations 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3.5 years (with additional automation technology, 4 years) 
  • Vocational school: Neunkirchen  

Locations

  • Altenmarkt
  • Herzogenburg 
Metal technology / Toolmaking / Machining
Metal technology - Toolmaking - Machining

Job description

For the production of die-cast parts, we need technically complex tools used in fully automated die casting systems to make our products. The technical terms include “die casting moulds” and “punching tools”. These tools require regular upkeep and maintenance, as well as various optimizations in order to maintain the usual high component quality. 

Activities

You take care of the professional execution of these tasks and prepare various spare and wear parts for these tools. This is done according to technical drawings and designs on the latest computer-supported (CNC) machine tools such as lathes, milling machines or eroding (EDM) machines. 

After the assembly, testing and commissioning of the tools, the direct impact of your work will become apparent in the quality of our products. 

Requirements

  • Manual skills 
  • Spatial and logical thinking as well as a good imagination 
  • Extremely accurate working methods 
  • Interest in planning workflows 
  • Ability to take responsibility 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3.5 years (with additional machining, 4 years) 
  • Vocational school: Knittelfeld (for Altenmarkt), Neunkirchen (for Herzogenburg) 

Locations

  • Altenmarkt
  • Herzogenburg 
Design engineer
Design engineer Biel 2021

Job description

Design engineers combine theory and practice. You will learn about construction drawings for machinery, tools, metal and steel components, and will also be fully involved in the production of the parts. 

Activities

You will use computer programs to create drawings of components and assemblies for machine or tool manufacturing for, or in collaboration with, our customers. You are thus an important interface between GF production and car manufacturers.

Your drawings of individual components and assemblies must also comply with the relevant standards. What exactly does that mean? During your apprenticeship, you will acquire all the necessary knowledge in the field of standardization and construction standards. 

Requirements

  • Good spatial thinking
  • Interest in manual and machine-based processing techniques 
  • Interest in making compounds and connections 
  • Good quality awareness 
  • Interest in working on computers
  • Appreciation of precision

Vocational training

  • Duration: 4 years 
  • Vocational school: Graz, Neunkirchen  

Locations

  • Altenmarkt
  • Herzogenburg 

Training Professions in Germany

Casting engineer
Casting engineer

Job description

As a casting engineer, you will learn how to manufacture and process large cast parts for construction machinery, forestry and agricultural vehicles, and renewable energies. You will work in one of the most modern foundries in Europe and learn about the entire production process of our cast parts. 

Activities

  • Making moulds for casting 
  • Operating systems 
  • Monitoring systems  
  • Breaking down models 
  • Maintaining production equipment  

Requirements

  • Technical skills 
  • Ability to handle a heavy workload 
  • Ability to concentrate  
  • Careful and accurate working methods 

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3.5 years  

Locations

  • Leipzig
Mechatronics engineer
Mechatronics - Automation technology

Job description

Whether you’re working on control and control technology, pneumatics or hydraulics - as a mechatronics engineer, you will make sure that our modern and fully automatic production facilities are available at all times. You will be involved in the process of getting new equipment up and running right from the start and then will be responsible for the professional maintenance and repairs of the mechatronic equipment. 

Activities

As a mechatronics engineer with a focus on automation technology, you will familiarise yourself with a diverse range of errors and faults in automation systems from the ground up, allowing you to systematically detect, isolate, and repair our systems. You will also find potential for improvement in the systems and optimize the plants.

On top of all this, you will learn to understand technical plans such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical drawings. You will also learn how to carry out tests and correct errors in these technical systems. Our systems are highly automated and complex. This requires professionals who are trained in programming robots and controllers. 

Requirements

  • Logical thinking and ability to grasp ideas quickly 
  • Technical skills 
  • Interest in mathematics and computer science 
  • Problem-solving skills 
  • Ability to cope with a heavy workload 
  • Ability to stay calm, even in stressful situations

Locations

  • Schorndorf
Toolmaker
With us as a toolmaker, you will learn the basic knowledge of metalworking.

Job description

With us as a toolmaker, you will learn the basic knowledge of metalworking. Your task is the production and processing of different components with various tools and machine tools. The assembly of the components to a die casting mold, completes your field of activity.

Activities

You will manufacture tools for industrial series production. For the production, CNC-controlled machine tools are used, which you program yourself. The assembly and inspection of various individual parts according to technical drawings is also part of your job.

Requirements

  • Intermediate maturity or a good secondary school leaving certificate
  • Technical understanding
  • Manual skills
  • Accurate and careful way of working
  • Motivation and willingness to work in a team
  • Good spatial awareness
  • Willingness to perform

Vocational training

  • Duration: 3.5 years  
  • Vocational school: Biedenkopf

Locations

  • Biedenkopf

Prospects after vocational training

Have you successfully completed your vocational training? You can be proud of yourself, because you will have laid the foundations for your professional life. You have a good chance of being taken on as a permanent member of staff here. We offer you an environment in which you can develop.