Self-test: Is the course to become an energy consultant for buildings with a federal certificate (BP) the right one for me?

What does the day-to-day work of an "Energy Consultant for Buildings" with a federal certificate look like?

Energy consultants for buildings offer comprehensive advice on all aspects of energy-efficient building refurbishment. They are responsible for a comprehensive energy analysis of the building, plan the implementation of renovation measures and coordinate the work on the construction site.

They work, for example, in (construction) companies, in architectural offices or in companies that specialize in the topic of "energy" / energy consulting - but can also be self-employed.

Energy consultants for buildings advise their clients on the renovation of buildings with regard to energy efficiency. To this end, they work together with appropriate specialists in building technology and building envelopes and develop suitable renovation solutions that are tailored to the customer's wishes and needs. In doing so, they always take into account the latest technological developments and keep themselves up to date in this regard.

To develop an energy-efficient renovation solution, the building energy consultants use various measurement methods to determine the current energy consumption of the building to be renovated. They also examine the building structure to identify weak points (e.g. in the building envelope). On this basis, they draw up a proposed solution. If the offer is approved by the customer, they initiate the appropriate measures. They check work contracts for completeness and accuracy.

On the construction site, energy consultants for buildings coordinate and communicate between stakeholders such as clients, tradespeople and architects. They also ensure occupational safety on the construction site. This includes identifying hazards and monitoring compliance with occupational safety regulations.

Finally, they are responsible for issuing so-called building energy certificates. To do this, they draw up applications for funding and submit them to the relevant specialist body. They can interpret the results accordingly and communicate them to their customers.

Target group and skills: For whom is the professional examination (BP) to become an energy consultant for buildings with a federal certificate suitable? What qualities and skills are required?

The preparatory courses for the professional examination and the federal examination itself are aimed at professionals from the building services engineering sector who would like to further their education in the field of energy consulting and improve their career opportunities with the federal certificate.

Energy consultants for buildings should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Flair for numbers and technology
• Craftsmanship
• Precise working method
• Strong environmental awareness
• Interest in sustainability and building physics
• Organizational talent
• Good communication skills
• An eye for detail and for the big picture
• Sense of responsibility
• Willingness to undergo continuous further training

Prerequisites for admission to the professional examination to become an energy consultant for buildings with a federal certificate (BP):

Anyone who meets the following admission requirements is admitted to the professional examination for Energy Consultant for Buildings:

• Holds a federal certificate in a building services engineering profession (e.g: Head fitter for heating, head fitter for plumbing, tinsmith foreman or polyconstruction project manager) or an equivalent qualification and has a qualification as a project manager in a building envelope profession (polyconstruction association) or an equivalent qualification.

And

• Have at least three years of professional experience in a building services engineering or building envelope profession and this experience must not date back more than ten years.

And

• has the required module qualifications* or certificates of equivalence.

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection.

Note: The admission requirements, such as the required years of professional experience, do not have to be fulfilled until the time of registration for the final examination or on the day of the examination. At some schools, it is therefore possible to start the preparatory course for the professional examination for Energy Consultant for Buildings even if you do not (yet) meet the requirements. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements by the required date.

Would you like to complete the energy consulting training, but not the professional examination?At some schools, it is also possible to attend a course without the intention of taking an exam. Contact the school of your choice directly and ask what options are available.

*The following is a list of the modules that must be completed for admission to the final examination (BP) (The individual modules are completed in the preparatory courses for the professional examination. The module certificates are valid for five years):

• Module 50.11: Building physics
• Module 50.12: Building construction
• Module 50.13: Building technology and renewable energy
• Module 50.14: Evidence and funding applications
• Module 50.15: Implementation planning

Did you know...

... that attending an Energy Consultant for Buildings (BP) preparatory course is not compulsory? However, as the preparatory courses are specifically geared towards the professional examination and admission to it and confirmation of the equivalence of other further training courses can be time-consuming and is not guaranteed, the tailor-made preparatory courses are highly recommended.

Subject matter and content of the training

When compiling the learning content for the preparatory course for the "Energy Consultant for Buildings" professional examination, the schools are guided by the specifications of the BP sponsors. The sponsoring body is responsible for periodically reviewing the professional examination and the requirements for specialists in energy consulting. This ensures that the knowledge and skills imparted remain up to date, i.e. that they meet the requirements of the job market.

The following topics are covered in a total of five modules:

• Module 50.11: Building physics: Basics of thermal insulation / thermal bridges, basics of moisture protection / air exchange, thermal insulation winter/summer, energy consumption, measurement technology
• Module 50.12: Building constructionBuilding envelope, weak points in the building envelope, building ecology
• Module 50.13: Building technology and renewable energy: Sanitary engineering, Ventilation and air conditioning technology, Heating technology, Electrical engineering, Energy market / Renewable energy / Sustainability
• Module 50.14: Evidence and funding applicationsThermal energy in building construction, building energy performance certificate (GEAK), applications for subsidies, building application for thermal insulation certificate
• Module 50.15: Implementation planningLegal bases, offers, economic efficiency, implementation planning, occupational safety

In addition:

• Module 60.61: Networking workshopCustomer advice, networking, networking work

Many schools offer the opportunity to complete the GEAK Plus training day during the course of the energy consulting training.

The GEAK operations center decides on the approval and recognition as a GEAK expert after you have received the federal certificate as an energy consultant for buildings. You can obtain more information on the path to becoming a GEAK experthere.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs listed for a preparatory course for the professional examination to become an energy consultant for buildings vary greatly in some cases. This is because the schools set the costs themselves.

The examination fee, on the other hand, is set by the organizing body of the federal examination. It is binding for all candidates.

Below you will find a list of the costs you can generally expect for the 6-month energy consulting training course:

• Course fees/course costsbetween CHF 7400 and CHF 8500. Thanks to the subject financing of the federal government, you will receive around 50% back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result).* In addition, suissetec members benefit from a reduction of CHF 900. This amount is automatically reimbursed by suisstec to those entitled.
• Fee for module examinationsCHF 1100.-. The costs for the module examinations are determined by the provider who organizes and conducts them.
• Examination feesCHF 970.-. It is paid by the candidate as soon as they have received confirmation of admission.
• Fee for GEAK courseCHF 450.- (+ CHF 2000.- certification fee)
• Extra costsYou will often have to expect additional costs for preliminary courses, teaching materials, training documents and simulation examinations, for example. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect in addition to the course fees, module fees, GEAK course fees and examination fees.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, teaching times, teaching model and learning effort

• The Energy Consultant for Buildings training course is modular (i.e. some of the skills are assessed in module examinations before the professional examination and are not tested again there) and is completed on a part-time basis. It lasts six months (6 teaching weeks, spread over six months).
• The course dates or timetables are compiled independently by the school. There may therefore be differences from provider to provider. As a rule, the six weeks are spread over six months. However, there are also schools that offer lessons every two weeks on two to three consecutive working days.
• Various teaching models have now become an integral part of schools, giving you the opportunity to combine further education with family, work and leisure in the best possible way. As a rule, you can choose between face-to-face teaching or online formats such as online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning. In the answers you will find a link to a website that explains the different forms of teaching.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the energy consultant training course, you can apply and deepen the learning material immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for the preparation and follow-up of the lessons and the self-learning time - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

If you have successfully completed all five modules and have the necessary module certificates, as well as meeting the requirements for previous education and professional experience, you can sit the final examination (BP).

The professional examination for Energy Consultant for Buildings is held annually, provided that at least five candidates meet the admission requirements following the announcement. Candidates can choose the language in which they wish to be examined. The three official languages are available: German, French and Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 30 days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (including details of the place and time as well as the aids permitted and to be brought along) and the list of experts.

1) Networking work (written, prepared in advance, weighting: 2)

In this part of the examination, candidates are required to write a networking project for a real single-family or multi-family house that is worth renovating.

This documentation in turn consists of two separate documents:

• Specialized documentationThe max. 30-page technical documentation should describe the candidate's deliberations on the renovation proposals. It contains the following elements, among others: Actual condition of the building, building envelope and building technology, GEAK on the ACTUAL and TARGET condition, refurbishment options, cost-benefit, aspects of sustainability.
• Customer documentationThe 15-page customer documentation builds on the technical documentation. It serves to show the customer both the condition of the building and which energy-related renovation measures would make sense. Of course, the cost-benefit ratio is also set out.

The assessment principles for the documentation are set out in the guidelines.

2) Customer consulting (oral, 60 minutes, weighting: 3)

The second part of the examination comprises a 30-minute customer consultation followed by a 30-minute technical discussion. First, the candidates present their customer documentation to the experts - as they would present it to a customer. In the technical discussion, the candidates' technical competence is tested.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Energy consultant for buildings with a federal certificate" or "Energy consultant for buildings with a federal certificate".

• In French: "Conseiller énergétique du bâtiment avec brevet fédéral / Conseillère énergétique du bâtiment avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Consulente energetico della costruzione con attestato professionale federale"
• In English: "Buildings Energy Consultant with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training" (Attention: not a protected title. This is merely a recommended translation)