Self-test: Is the "Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate" course the right one for me?
Find out here whether foreman training and the job profile "Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate" is right for you and whether an extra-occupational preparatory course for the professional examination is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of a tinsmith foreman with a federal certificate look like?
A tinsmith foreman with a federal certificate manages the work in the workshop and on the construction site as a group leader, department manager or deputy manager. Thanks to their foreman training, foremen can plan and organize work processes to ensure the precise and efficient execution of tinsmith work such as metal roofing, sealing systems and façade cladding. In addition to construction plans, they also take into account the project-related conditions and the availability of personnel and machinery. After completing the foreman training, graduates are able to create sectional drawings and isometric representations for fabrication and installation. A tinsmith foreman supervises employees and apprentices on the construction site, prepares daily reports and control reports and ensures compliance with occupational safety regulations. When selecting systems, the foremen take into account regulations and standards as well as physical, ecological and aesthetic aspects.
The following areas of work are typical in tinsmith foreman jobs after training as a foreman:
- Planning tinsmith work taking into account:
- Aspects of economic efficiency and environmental compatibility
- Construction plans and property-related conditions
- Creation of sectional drawings and isometric representations including the required dimensions and assembly sequence
- Regulations and standards as well as building physics, ecological and aesthetic aspects for the right choice of system
- Availability of necessary personnel and machines
- Efficient work processes in compliance with regulations and legal issues
- The preparation of individual work steps for precise and punctual execution
- Monitoring the execution on site
- Instruct employees and apprentices in efficient and professional fabrication and assembly
- Checking the correct execution
- Checking compliance with all regulations
- Hold meetings with customers, architects and site managers on the construction site
- Create daily and government reports for payroll accounting
- The compilation of all important documents such as standard item catalogs
Question 1:
Do the tasks meet your expectations? Can you imagine performing the tasks of a tinsmith foreman?
If you like the actual job of a tinsmith foreman, you are on the right track. The next question is now which provider of foreman training is the right one for you to acquire the relevant skills.
Even if you don't like all the tasks involved in tinsmith foreman jobs, it could still be the right profession for you. In almost every job, there are also tasks that are less interesting. However, the tasks after the foreman training should arouse your interest and appeal to you.
Alternatively, you can look at descriptions of similar job profiles, as another degree may suit you better:
- Building Foreman / Building Foreman (BP)
- Project Manager Building Services (BP)
- Project Manager Solar Installation (BP)
- Energy consultant for buildings (BP)
- Building Technology (HF) (formerly Building Services (HF))
- Energy and environmental technician (HF)
If you don't like the work after the foreman training, you should find out which parts of the tasks as a tinsmith foreman you don't like so much. Is it the planning and organizational work? Or the meetings with customers, architects and site managers?
Depending on your answer, you could look in job advertisements to see if there are jobs with a different distribution of tasks. Or you can take inspiration from other similar jobs. If you are generally unsure about what you want to do, we can help you with ourAdvisorhelp you find your own calling.
Target group and skills: Who is the preparatory course for the tinsmith foreman professional examination suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The training to become a tinsmith foreman is aimed at tinsmiths with a federal certificate of competence or tinsmiths with a federal certificate of competence as well as specialists from related professions who pursue the following goals:
- Deepening theoretical and practical specialist knowledge through training as a foreman
- Networking different areas of competence and using them appropriately
- Work in a supervisor function in the middle management of a planning and execution company in the plumbing industry
- After training as a foreman, complete further training courses or the higher specialist examination to become a master tinsmith
The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a tinsmith foreman:
- Social skills, sociability, perseverance, patience and humor
- Interest in metalworking
- Manual dexterity, leadership qualities and social skills
- Spatial imagination, technical understanding
- Resilient constitution
- Mobility
- Precise way of working, high quality awareness and organizational talent
- Sociability, customer orientation
- Creative talent
- No balance disorder / dizziness
- Independence and a sense of responsibility
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for training as a tinsmith foreman?
If you belong to the target group and you have the necessary skills and qualities, then training as a tinsmith foreman is still an option for you. Completing the federal certificate after training as a foreman still seems to meet your expectations.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate as a tinsmith foreman. The further development opportunities in the area ofBuilding technologyare numerous and may offer alternative educational opportunities that may interest you even more or suit you better.
- If you do not have the necessary skills and qualities for the job description of tinsmith foreman, you will probably not be the best and most satisfied in such a position. Look for alternative training in theBuilding technology sector.
- If you are still unsure about your professional development, contact experienced people such as career advisors for targeted advice or coaching:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination for tinsmiths and plumbers:
The following prerequisites are required for admission to the federal professional examination for tinsmiths:
- Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) as a plumber
- and at least 2 years of professional experience in the plumbing industry after completing basic vocational training
or
- Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) in a related profession
- and at least 4 years of professional experience in the plumbing industry after completing basic vocational training
In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, the following is required for the professional examination for tinsmith polishers:
- Proof of the required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence
- Successful completion of the vocational trainer course
The individual modules are completed as compulsory modules (see learning content) in the preparatory courses for the professional examination. The module certificates are valid for five years. 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 tinsmith foreman - in the event of rejection, including reasons and information on legal remedies.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the professional examination for plumbers and fitters? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start training as a tinsmith foreman at the earliest possible date. You will then be admitted to the professional examination.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience is sufficient to qualify as a foreman, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theswisstec.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the tinsmith foreman / tinsmith foreman training with professional examination, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you have someone with employment in theBuilding technology-industry, ask this person for help with your job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after training as a tinsmith foreman / tinsmith foreman with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you do not have the basic vocational training qualification for the foreman apprenticeship, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are unsure whether your qualifications and professional experience are sufficient for the foreman apprenticeship, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theswisstec.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for tinsmiths, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you have someone with employment in theBuilding technology-industry, ask this person for help with your job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after training as a tinsmith foreman / tinsmith foreman with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you do not have the basic vocational training qualification for the foreman apprenticeship, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content based on tinsmith foreman modules:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the specialist certificate as a tinsmith foreman is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, theswisstec.
The tinsmith foreman modules form the learning content of the further training foreman:
- Practical work
- Application technology 1 & 2:
- Basic working techniques
- Welding / soldering
- Deform
- Metal roofing and cladding:
- Metal roof
- Metal façade
- Basics of waterproofing of buildings:
- Bituminous waterproofing
- Plastic films
- Liquid plastic (connections and terminations)
- Application technology 1 & 2:
- Work organization
- Construction and technical drawing:
- Drawing principles
- Construction drawings, detailed sketches
- Specialized drawing
- Order processing:
- AVOR (work preparation)
- Project management
- Occupational safety
- Construction and technical drawing:
- Professional knowledge
- Lightning protection:
- Standards/guiding principles/guidelines
- Lightning protection systems (LPS)
- Building science:
- Dimensioning basics
- Generally applicable standards and guidelines
- Building physics
- Building materials
- Solar technology
- Sloping roofs / clad exterior walls:
- Standards, guidelines, instructions, information sheets
- Building materials
- Drainage
- Pitched roofs / Clad exterior walls
- Interfaces to other systems
- Solar technology installation
- Waterproofing of buildings
- Standards, guidelines, instructions, information sheets
- Sealing systems
- Connections and terminations
- Drainage
- Lightning protection:
- Applied legal issues
- Legal basis:
- Basics of liability law and contract law
- Fundamentals of employment contract law and the collective labor agreement (CLA)
- Principles of the contract for work and services (with standard SIA 118)
- Structure and functioning of our state system
- Structure of the Swiss legal system
- Legal basis:
- Finance
- Calculation basics:
- NPK / Extent
- Cost elements
- Calculation basics:
- Personnel management
- Personnel management:
- The basic skills in communication
- Using communication techniques
- Fundamentals of leadership
- The management functions
- The personal management style
- Management by objectives (MbO)
- Assessing employees
- Personnel management:
Question 4:
Are you interested in the contents of the tinsmith foreman training course based on the tinsmith foreman modules and would you like to acquire knowledge in this subject area?
Perfect, the content of the tinsmith foreman module is perfect for you. With the skills you have learned, you can score points on the job market and increase your salary prospects. You can now find out more about the structure and concept of further training from the training institutes.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the tinsmith foreman modules, then the further training foreman is probably not the right course for you. Then take a look at other training and further education opportunities in the field ofBuilding technologythat suit you better due to the content taught.
Obviously the typical learning content based on the tinsmith foreman modules is not for you. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Tinsmith-polisher training costs and financing:
Depending on the provider and duration, the costs for training as a tinsmith foreman / tinsmith foreman vary. On average, these amounts are to be expected for the training costs:
- Course fees:approx. CHF 21,000 to CHF 25,600
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
Swisstec members receive a member discount of CHF 8,000. Participants who are subject to the canton's CLA receive an additional PLK contribution of CHF 2,800. PLZ stands for Paritätische Landeskommission, which promotes further vocational training and pays annual contributions to selected course organizers to directly reduce the cost of further training courses. - Examination fees:CHF 400 (as of 2023, for suissetec members only CHF 200, additional costs for all module examinations of CHF 5,050 and vocational trainer course for approx. CHF 500)
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 tinsmith foreman examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for preliminary courses, enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, accommodation, meals, travel expenses, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and intermediate qualifications 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 training to become a tinsmith foreman.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as tinsmith foreman 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 in a position to pre-finance around CHF 26,250 to CHF 31,050 of further training for plumbers, including module examinations and the federal examination?
The best. Here's another tip: If you would be able to pay the entire amount for the tinsmith foreman training costs 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 of further training to become a tinsmith foreman / tinsmith foreman that you would have to expect. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of the tinsmith foreman training. Or 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 for further training as a foreman.
- 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 tinsmith training course. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs. Ask your school about the possibility of paying the tinsmith foreman training costs 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.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort for the professional examination for plumbers:
- The tinsmith foreman training, further training is modular in structure (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). The tinsmith training course lasts three to four semesters and includes around 420 lessons for the practical part and around 570 lessons for the theoretical part.
- The teaching times for the foreman course vary depending on the provider. The theoretical modules take place in the afternoon and on Saturdays or on one or two weekdays. However, the practical lessons are completed in around five to eight block weeks. However, there are also courses with around ten training blocks of two to three weeks each (around 23 weeks in total).
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the tinsmith foreman training course, you can apply and consolidate the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow the same amount of time for the additional workload as the regular course duration.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successful completion of the tinsmith foreman course.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for the classroom lessons and the homework for the professional examination for plumbers?
If you are confident that you can cope with the teaching time and learning effort, you should start training as a tinsmith foreman. At the most, you can consider whether you can achieve even better results, such as faster learning or better final grades, with suitable learning and working methods and a personal learning plan. Efficient learning methods also pay off in tinsmith foreman training.
If you don't have that much time for the tinsmith foreman training, check with the providers whether the training can be spread over more than three years. Or can you find another way to free up time? Perhaps you can hand over certain tasks during the tinsmith-polisher training?
Degree, diploma and title:
The professional examination "Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate" is held annually in German, French and Italian, provided that the minimum number of 10 candidates meet the admission requirements.
Candidates for the professional examination for tinsmiths and plumbers are notified at least 30 days 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 tinsmith polishers comprises the following two parts:
- Case study (written, 4 hours, double weighting):
This is a predetermined project that covers as many of the tasks of a future tinsmith foreman as possible and corresponds to the object model of today. The implementation is assessed according to:- Obtaining an overview of the content and scope of the individual tasks
- Self-assessment with time management
- Task solution with consideration of time management
- Expert discussion (oral, 45 minutes, single weighting) - this includes:
- Extensive list of questions for the case study
- Some detailed questions from the written project
Diploma and title
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate" or "Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate".
- In French: "Contremaître en ferblanterie avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Capo lattoniere con attestato professionale federale", "Capo lattoniera con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Chief Plumbing Engineer with Federal Diploma of Professional 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 tinsmiths?
Good, you are confident that you will successfully complete the professional examination following the tinsmith foreman training. Think about where you can best ensure the transfer of practical experience. Which learning and working methods are most efficient for you?
If you are unsure about a successful qualification as a tinsmith foreman, we recommend the following:
- oneInformation eventof the favored educational institute
- onepersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice for tinsmith foreman training
- at theSchool managementAsk about support options
- oneInformationby the sponsor of the professional examination, theswisstecto dispel your concerns
- itselfSupportfromLearning therapistorCoachthroughautogenicormental trainingor get help around theExam anxietyto reduce
You are very unsure whether you will be able to graduate after the tinsmith foreman course. You could check which subjects may have caused you problems in the past. If these are subjects that will be repeated in the final examination after the tinsmith foreman course, you should find out about possible preparatory courses, use tutors to fill any gaps in your knowledge or discuss with the school whether there is the possibility of internal tests or preparatory courses.
If you have intense exam anxiety, you could look for a different type of course that works more with 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:
No, the tinsmith foreman apprenticeship does not suit you. What a pity? Maybe not, because there are so many other options 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.
Tinsmith foreman with a federal certificate is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test for the tinsmith foreman course again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal profession. 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.
The tinsmith foreman training course is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the information events organized by the providers. There you will find out a lot more about further training as a foreman. You can also discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate"
Foreman 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 and check the financing.
Directly to the schools:
"Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate"
Which school is right for me?
Our guide will help you decide which school to choose for the tinsmith foreman apprenticeship:
At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to clarify, which will help you to keep an overview.
Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous evaluations from former course participants.
Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can display exactly the ratings that interest you.
Polishing 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:
"Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate"
Which school is right for me?
Our guide will help you decide which school to choose for further training as a tinsmith foreman:
At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to clarify, which will help you to keep an overview.
Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous evaluations from former course participants.
Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can display exactly the ratings that interest you.
The polishing 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:
"Tinsmith foreman with federal certificate"
Which school is right for me?
Our guide will help you decide which school to choose when training to become a tinsmith:
At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to clarify, which will help you to keep an overview.
Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous evaluations from former course participants.
Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can display exactly the ratings that interest you.
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