Self-test: Is the "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate (BP)" course the right one for me?
Test here whether the job profile "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate" (formerly metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate) suits you and whether an extra-occupational preparatory course is the right path for you.
What is everyday working life like as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager with a federal certificate?
A metal construction workshop and assembly manager leads a team of metal workers in a metal construction company (steel construction or façade construction company). The managers receive the orders, discuss them with the designers and pass them on to the specialists for execution. As supervisors, they ensure smooth workflows, rationalize and improve the production processes and assign the work to the employees. During execution, the metal construction workshop and assembly manager coordinates and monitors the production processes in the workshop and the assembly work on the construction site. However, the managers are also skilled in practical work and lend a hand with difficult jobs. As team leaders, they keep work reports and logs, ensure that orders are completed on time and monitor materials management.
The tasks as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager are as follows:
- Monitoring of execution times
- Scheduling and coordination of assembly work, including discussion of work processes
- Assistance with scheduling and monitoring
- Reporting, monitoring of work reports
- Providing the assembly material
- Responsibility for general tasks such as:
- Workshop regulations
- Responsibility for maintenance and repair of workshop equipment, checkrooms, workshop environment, recreation rooms
- Vehicles and their maintenance work incl. scheduling and servicing
- Preparation of simple quotations and small-scale measurements
- Monitoring materials management
- Control of working and production times
- Control of accident prevention, safety and occupational hygiene
- Rationalization awareness (proposals)
- Dealing with customers and suppliers
Note: The distribution/frequency and weighting of tasks can vary greatly depending on the job profile and size of the company.
Typical functions as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager are
- Project manager
- Operations manager
- Production manager
- Workshop manager
- Assembly manager
Question 1:
Do the activities meet your expectations? Can you imagine working in metal construction workshop and assembly management?
If you like the actual job, you can be sure that you are in the right specialist area with the role of metal construction workshop and assembly manager. The next question is whether the preparatory course for the professional examination is the right further training for you to acquire the necessary skills.
If you partially like the job description for metal construction workshop and assembly manager, you should try to analyze what you would and would not like in the course. Remember: In practically every job, there are activities that are less interesting. It is important to make sure that these do not predominate. And with what you find out, you can check job advertisements to find professions that match your expectations even better. Also take a look at the following further training opportunities in related fields to see if they better match your interests:
- Construction machinery workshop manager (BP)
- Maintenance specialist (BP)
- Agricultural machinery workshop manager (BP)
- Metal construction designer (BP)
- Production specialist (BP)
- Process specialist (BP)
- Welding specialist (BP)
- Technical business management assistant (BP)
If you are not at all interested in working as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager, you should consider another job within a company or check whether you would fit into a different function level based on your previous training.
If you have an apprenticeship as a metal construction designer, for example, the professional examination as a "metal construction designer with federal certificate" could be more suitable for you.
OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of educational opportunities.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate" suitable for? What qualities and skills are required as a manager?
The "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager" training is aimed at the following people who have learned a metal construction trade or related profession and would like to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills. In other words, professionals who:
- Want to take on management tasks
- want to take care of the workshop staff
- would like to supervise learners
- want to handle metal construction orders efficiently
- like to maintain customer contacts
- are looking for a new challenge in the metal construction industry
Important qualities and skills for the profession of metal construction workshop and assembly manager are
- Strong organizational personality who enjoys carrying out customer-specific projects and unusual tasks
- Strong customer and service orientation
- High quality awareness
- Communication skills
- Leadership qualities
- Assertiveness
- Technical understanding
- Commercial interest and skills
- Precise working method
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups of the "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager" training?
Everything obviously seems to fit. You clearly belong to the target group of the "metal construction workshop and assembly manager" training.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager. There are numerous opportunities for further development in metal construction. Take a look at the followingPagewith various courses from suitable providers. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the field of metal construction for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training, then look for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. If you know someone in your private or professional environment who is already working in this field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager, you will probably not be happy with this role in metal construction. Look out for further training opportunities that focus less on management.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role with a lot of responsibility, it is best to talk to experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Prerequisites for admission to the federal professional examination in metal construction workshop management / metal construction assembly:
The following four prerequisites are required for admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager:
- Federal certificate of proficiency as a metalworker or a related profession (e.g. metal construction fitter, metal construction designer)
- at least 3 years of metal construction experience since completing the apprenticeship (graduates of a day vocational school recognized by the QS Commission are credited with a maximum of 1 year as metal construction experience)
- a course as a vocational trainer
- Required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence
Some schools also require basic and user knowledge of MS Office and a computer with Internet access. Depending on your previous knowledge, it is advisable to take a preliminary course in PC application.
You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly supervisors.
Note: The prerequisites, such as professional experience, only have to be fulfilled at the time of the federal written examinations. Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly supervisors if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination at the start of the course. You are responsible for meeting the conditions at the time of the examination or examination registration. This is subject to the timely transfer of the examination fee.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly manager? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start training as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager as soon as possible.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for metal construction workshop and assembly manager, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theAM Suisse.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly managers, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. Here you can findHelpful informationin addition
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the metal construction industry, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP. Here you can findmore information.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Or take a look at the "Production specialists" course, which can be an alternative further development option:
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for metal construction workshop and assembly manager, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theAM Suisse.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly managers, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. Here you can findHelpful informationin addition
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the metal construction industry, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP. Here you can findmore information.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager certificate is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, theAM Suisse.
The learning content of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training is divided into the following modules:
- Marketing and acquisition
- Fundamentals of general business administration
- Marketing basics
- Marketing tools
- Customer care and customer loyalty
- Personnel management
- Understanding personnel administration
- Understanding staff remuneration
- Understanding social insurance
- Knowledge of the apprenticeship system (excl. master teacher course)
- Knowledge of personnel management
- Calculation
- Basics of the calculation structure
- Cost types
- Calculation and offer
- Directing work
- Procurement bases
- Revenue reduction
- Project management
- Project management basics
- Project initialization
- Project goals
- Phase models
- Project organization
- Structure plan, procedure list and schedule
- Resource plan, resource plan and cost plan
- Standards, guidelines and contracts
- Quality assurance and quality management
- Materials technology/process engineering
- Fundamentals of materials technology
- Mathematics / technical calculations
- Steel materials
- Stainless steels
- Aluminum
- Casting materials and processes
- Plastics / composites
- Glass
- Connection techniques
- Assembly
- Insulating and sealing materials
- Fire protection
- Management
- Work preparation
- Reporting
- Production and materials management
- Order processing
- Security guidelines
- Assembly preparations
- Construct
- Basics of the freehand sketching technique
- Detailed sketches of metal constructions
- Building physics
- Thermal insulation basics
- Basics of moisture protection
- Sound insulation basics
Question 4:
Are you interested in the contents of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training and would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! If you are interested in the course content, this could be the best educational option for you. Here's another tip: find out from the schools about the exact training structure and concept of the metal construction workshop and assembly supervisor training offered. These are aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this federal certificate, then the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training course is probably not the right course for you. Then take a look at other training and further education courses in this area. You may find a course that suits you better due to the content taught. You will find inspirationhere.
Obviously the typical tasks of a metal construction workshop and assembly manager with a federal certificate are not your world. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training in metal construction workshop management / metal construction assembly:
Depending on the provider and the duration of the course, the costs of further training as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager vary slightly. On average, these amounts are to be expected:
- Course fees:between CHF 8'450.- and CHF 12'500.-
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a 10% discount on the costs of training courses and courses offered by individual training providers - Examination fees:CHF 2,650 (as of 2023, CHF 1,600 for the module examinations)
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the metal construction workshop and assembly manager examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and intermediate qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training course.
*Since January 1, 2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance between CHF 8,450 and CHF 12,500 for the metal construction workshop and assembly management course and CHF 2,650 for the exam, depending on the course and provider?
Great, that would solve the financing problem!
Here's another tip: If you would be able to pay the entire amount for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training in advance, many schools will grant you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager course. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the cost of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further training project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training that you would have to expect. Then find out from your employer whether they will contribute to the costs and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of teaching hours and learning effort for metal construction workshop and assembly manager training:
- The metal construction workshop and assembly manager training, further training is modular (i.e. some of the skills are assessed in module examinations before the professional examination and are only tested across modules in the final examination) and lasts 2 to 4 semesters while working. It comprises approx. 600 lessons.
- Lesson times vary depending on the provider of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training course. As a rule, the lessons take place on individual half-days during the week and on Saturdays, one evening and on Saturdays, all day and on Saturdays and, less frequently, in course blocks lasting several days.
- Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager course, you can apply and consolidate the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. As a precaution, we recommend that you allow at least 4 - 8 hours per week.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. These are important aspects on the way to successfully completing the metal construction workshop and assembly manager course. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for classroom teaching and homework for the metal construction workshop and assembly management training?
If you are confident that you can pass the Metal Construction Workshop and Assembly Manager with Federal Certificate of Competence, you can at most consider whether you would like to achieve even better results with suitable learning and working methods or the same results with less effort.
If you are very unsure, you could check which subjects may have caused you problems at vocational school. If these are subjects that are repeated in the final examination for metal construction workshop and assembly manager, you should find out about possible preparatory courses, fill in existing gaps in your knowledge with the help of tutors or discuss with the school whether there is the possibility of internal tests. If you have intense test anxiety, you could look for a different type of course that focuses more on learning achievements, mid-term exams or semester work. External help from learning therapists, kinesiologists, autogenic training providers or mental training providers can also be considered.
We also recommend that you check your motivation, your current situation and your experience with school-based learning before you register for the metal construction workshop and assembly manager course. Are you absolutely sure that you want to become a workshop manager? Do you have enough support from those around you so that you can devote yourself fully to your metal construction workshop and assembly manager training for two years? Are you motivated and disciplined enough to work through the theoretical material until you really understand it? If you can answer all these questions with yes, then with enough hard work and a little support you should be able to complete the course successfully.
Degree, diploma and title Head of Metal Construction Assembly / Metal Construction Workshop:
The professional examination "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate" takes place annually, provided that at least 12 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.
Candidates for the professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly supervisors are notified at least 3 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The professional examination for metal construction workshop and assembly managers comprises the following five examination parts:
- Practical work (double weighting, 12 to 15 hours)
- Technology (written, 1 weighting, 2 hours)
- Technology (oral, 1 weighting, approx. 2 hours)
- Market/people/company (written, single weighting, 1 hour)
- Market/people/company (oral, single weighting, approx. 1 hour)
Diploma and title "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager"
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate" or "Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate".
- In French: "Cheffe / Chef d'atelier et de montage en construction métallique avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Capo officina e di montaggio metalcostruttrice / Capo officina e di montaggio metalcostruttore con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Workshop and Assembly Manager in Metal Construction with Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education and Training" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for the federal certificate in metal construction workshop and assembly management?
It's good that you have the confidence to pass the metal construction workshop and assembly manager exam.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification such as metal construction workshop and assembly manager with a federal certificate:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend the metal construction workshop and assembly manager course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or the sponsor of the vocational examination for metal construction workshop and assembly supervisors, theAM SuisseExplain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to the new qualification of metal construction workshop and assembly manager with a federal certificate:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- In-depth preparation and follow-up of the subject matter of the metal construction workshop and assembly manager training at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident that you can pass the final examination for metal construction workshop and assembly managers, arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or the sponsor of the vocational examination for metal construction workshop and assembly supervisors, theAM SuisseExplain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
No, this course for the federal certificate as a metal construction workshop and assembly manager (BP) does not suit you. What a pity? Perhaps not, because there are so many other opportunities for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with a federal certificate is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: The job of metal construction workshop and assembly manager with a federal certificate does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Metal construction workshop and assembly manager training, further training is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate / metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate / metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate"
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate / metal construction workshop and assembly manager with federal certificate"
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