What does the day-to-day work of a head of hotel housekeeping with a federal certificate look like?

Area managers in hotel housekeeping work in social and healthcare institutions (e.g. hospitals), hotels, staff restaurants, care homes and training and conference centers. Here they are responsible for one or even several specialist areas, assume specialist and management responsibility and look after the well-being of their guests.

Hotel housekeeping managers are responsible for the organization of operations, cleaning, laundry (textile care, laundry supply) and catering. To this end, they provide the appropriate infrastructure (goods, equipment and services) and maintain it by means of logistical processes, among other things.

They also plan, coordinate, control, monitor, analyze and optimize internal work processes.

Hotel housekeeping managers ensure that work is carried out economically. They carry out budget planning, which they monitor and control on an ongoing basis. They also know the legal regulations (e.g. proper storage of goods, hygiene, occupational and operational safety, economical and ecological procurement and disposal, efficient use of energy and resources) and ensure compliance with them in the business, for example by drawing up concepts and taking appropriate measures.

Furthermore, housekeeping managers are an important point of contact for all stakeholder groups: Patients, residents, relatives, guests, clients, employees, apprentices, superiors, suppliers and authorities. They are aware of their needs and wishes and try to meet them. Even in difficult situations, they try to keep calm, work out suitable solutions and communicate appropriately.

Finally, they also train apprentices and are responsible for managing employees. This also includes promoting the skills and curiosity of employees with appropriate training and further education opportunities.

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination (BP) to become a hotel housekeeping manager with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The preparatory courses for the professional examination "Head of Hotel Housekeeping", or the professional examination itself, are aimed at:

• Ambitious professionals who wish to take on a management role in housekeeping (e.g. team leader and/or department head) and would like to demonstrate their knowledge and skills with a correspondingly recognized certificate.
• Professionals who would like to expand their range of activities in the hotel and catering sector and take on more responsible tasks in the future.

Heads of Hotel Housekeeping (BP) should have the following personal qualities and skills?

• Sense of responsibility
• Eye for detail and for the big picture (organizational talent)
• Resilience (physical and mental)
• Creative
• Sociable
• Good manners
• Team player
• Service and customer orientation
• Flexible (willingness to work irregular hours)

Prerequisites for admission to the professional examination for Head of Hotel Housekeeping with a federal certificate (BP):

The admission requirements for taking the professional examination for Head of Hotel Housekeeping are as follows:

• Completion of at least two years of basic vocational training in housekeeping and three years of professional experience at 80%, including one year of management experience with at least one subordinate person

Or

• Completion of three years of basic vocational training or equivalent training and completion of the three housekeeping modules (basics of cleaning, laundry and catering) as well as four years of professional experience at 80%*, including one year of management experience with at least one subordinate person

Or

• Completion of a professional examination as a "farmer's wife / farmer's household manager" or "household manager" or a teaching certificate in housekeeping and one year of professional experience in a collective household at 80%.

Or

• 80% professional experience of eight years, including one year of management experience with at least one subordinate and completion of the three housekeeping modules (basics of cleaning, laundry and catering)

And

• Proof of the required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence
• Attendance of the training course for vocational trainers in training companies
• Learning reflection dossier on five modules

*The following eight modules must be completed in order to be admitted to the final examination for hotel housekeeping managers (the individual modules are completed in the preparatory courses for the professional examination. The module certificates are valid for five years):

Compulsory business modules

• Module 1: Employee management
• Module 2: Marketing / Communication
• Module 3: Company organization
• Module 4: Purchasing/disposal/ecology/hygiene
• Module 5: Administration, law, finance and accounting

Compulsory home economics modules

• Module 6: Cleaning technology and organization
• Module 7: Laundry technology and organization

Compulsory elective modules in home economics

• Module 8a: Offer design and catering organization
• Module 8b: Catering on nursing wards
• Module 8c: Services in the experience hotel and catering industry

It is not compulsory to attend a preparatory course for Hotel Housekeeping Manager (BP). 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.

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least 4 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 number of years of professional experience, only have to be met by the time you register for the final examination or on the day of the examination. This means that, in principle, you can already start the divisional manager training course even if you do not yet meet all the criteria for admission. But please note: not every school offers this option, so we recommend that you contact the school of your choice directly. Also: In such a case, you are responsible for ensuring that you meet the necessary requirements by the required date!

Note: As of January 1, 2024, the following admission requirements will apply for hotel housekeeping managers:

• In possession of a federal certificate of competence (EFZ) as a housekeeping specialist or hotel specialist and has three years of professional experience (80%) in the field of hotel housekeeping, including one year of management experience (80%)

Or

• In possession of another EFZ or equivalent qualification and has the performance records of the three basic housekeeping subjects (cleaning, laundry, catering) and can demonstrate four years of professional experience (80%) in the hotel housekeeping sector, including at least one year of management experience (80%).

And

• Proof of the required module qualifications** or certificates of equivalence

And

• Completion of a course for vocational trainers

**The following module qualifications must be presented for admission to the BP (the individual modules are completed in the preparatory courses for the professional examination. The module certificates are valid for five years):

• Module A: Leading employees, applying self-management and communication skills
• Module B: Marketing offers and services
• Module C: Applying financial instruments
• Module D: Designing the business organization
• Module E: Planning and organizing the cleaning process and designing the room atmosphere
• Module F: Planning and organizing the textile care process and laundry supply
• Module G: Designing and organizing catering and service offerings

*In the case of part-time employment with a workload of less than 80%, the required duration of professional and management experience is extended pro rata.

Subject matter and content of the training

The learning content and skills taught in the preparatory courses for the professional examination for Head of Hotel Housekeeping are based on the requirements of the sponsoring body*.

In a total of eight modules, the divisional manager training covers the following topics:

Compulsory business modules

• Module 1: Employee management: management as a task, employee management through goal setting and motivation, labor law
• Module 2: Marketing / Communication: basics of marketing, communication and information
• Module 3: Company organization: structural and process organization, safety, health and quality management
• Module 4: Purchasing/disposal/ecology/hygiene: procurement of materials and services, inventory management/logistics, ecology and environment, hygiene management
• Module 5: Administration, law, finance and accounting: Correspondence and written expression, law, accounting

Compulsory home economics modules

• Module 6: Cleaning technology and organization: cleaning of premises, cleaning organization and planning, provision of infrastructure; purchasing; supply and disposal, living atmosphere, hygiene, safety and quality
• Module 7: Laundry technology and organization: processing and maintenance of laundry, laundry organization and planning, provision of infrastructure, purchasing and supply and disposal, hygiene, safety and quality

Compulsory elective modules in housekeeping for heads of hotel housekeeping departments

• Module 8a: Offer design and catering organization: design of internal and external offers, catering organization, provision of infrastructure, purchasing, supply and disposal (small inventory and consumables), hygiene, safety and quality
• Module 8b: Catering on nursing wards: Catering for patients and residents, catering organization, department organization / logistics
• Module 8c: Services in the experience hotel and catering industry: service concepts, room planning and room design, service organization, purchasing of machines, equipment and products as well as tableware in the service areas

From 1.1.2024, the following topics will be covered in the divisional manager training (also in 8 modules, but without subdivision into compulsory and optional modules)

• Module A: Leading employees, applying self-management and communication: employee leadership, team development, training and further training, work organization and communication, chairing meetings and presentations, conflict resolution, employment law, own leadership behavior and self-management
• Module B: Marketing offers and services: Designing offers and services, customer communication, negotiation techniques, handling complaints
• Module C: Application of financial instruments: Accounting and profitability, costing, budgeting
• Module D: Designing the business organization: corporate principles and corporate culture, business organization, infrastructure and merchandise management, profitability and productivity, safety and environmental protection, legal provisions, contract law, project work, administration
• Module E: Planning and organizing the cleaning process and designing the room atmosphere: cleaning organization and cleaning planning, calculation, cleaning of rooms, room design
• Module F: Planning and organizing the textile care process and laundry supply: Laundry organization and laundry planning, calculation, preparation and maintenance of textiles
• Module G: Designing and organizing catering and service offers: including offer design, service concepts, situation- and customer-oriented catering, well-being of patients and residents, sector-specific, legal and operational regulations and much more.

* The awarding body is responsible for periodically reviewing the professional examination and the requirements for the certificate in hotel housekeeping. This ensures that the knowledge and skills taught remain up to date, i.e. that they meet the requirements of the job market - an important factor in the success of PET qualifications.

Costs and financing of further training

Below you will find a list of the costs that you can generally expect for the 3 - 4 semester course:

• Course fees/course costsThe schools decide independently on the amount of the costs for a preparatory course for the professional examination to become a hotel housekeeping manager. You should expect to pay between CHF 9,200 and CHF 10,400. You will receive double support in this regard. On the one hand, the federal government's subject funding, thanks to which you will receive around 50% back from the federal government upon application after the examination (regardless of the result), and on the other hand, the so-called education offensive through the L-GAV funding. Graduates of the professional examination who are employed in a company that is subject to the L-GAV (National Collective Labor Agreement of the Swiss Hospitality Industry) at the time of registration receive subsidies. You can find more information on the L-GAV subsidy in the answers.
• Examination feesCHF 1'500.-. Good to know: In contrast to the course costs, which are determined by the providers, the examination fee is defined by the sponsoring body of the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate as soon as they have received confirmation of admission.
• Extra costsYou will often have to expect additional costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams, for example. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect in addition to the course 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

• Duration:The extra-occupational training to become a hotel housekeeping manager with a federal certificate is modular and includes a final examination. It lasts approximately three to four semesters. (Note: Depending on the provider, it is also offered as a block course).
• Lesson times:When these modules or block courses take place varies from school to school. This is because they can determine the time variants themselves and the timetables vary accordingly. Please contact the school of your choice directly and ask about the timetable.
• Teaching formats:Various teaching models are offered so that you have the opportunity to combine further education with your family, career and free time 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.
• Learning effort:Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the further education course "Head of Hotel Housekeeping", you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - 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: Depending on the situation, it is possible to attend a so-called "trial lesson". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere at the school you visit. Important aspects on the way to successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a trial lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

Can you present all the necessary module certificates and also meet the requirements for previous education and professional experience? Then you can take the final examination for hotel housekeeping managers.

The professional examination is held every year, provided that at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements after the invitation to tender, otherwise every two years.
Note: From 1.1.2024, 12 candidates must meet the admission requirements.

The professional examination can be taken in German, Italian and French - the decision is up to the candidates.

Candidates are notified at least three weeks (from 1.1.2024 six weeks) 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.

The final examination "Head of Hotel Housekeeping" consists of two parts, which are structured as follows:

1) Professional competence in hotel housekeeping (weighting 3)

a) Case processing (written, 120 minutes)

In this part of the exam, candidates work on a given practical situation. In a first step, they must understand the situation, derive appropriate action strategies from it and answer questions. Working on the case study serves as preparation for the technical discussion.

b) Expert discussion (oral, 20 minutes)

The action strategies developed in the previous part of the examination are presented in this part of the examination. The candidates justify their approach and answer questions from the experts.

c) Case simulation in a leading function (practical, 40 minutes)

In this part of the exam, candidates have to demonstrate their skills in dealing with people. To do this, they are given a practical task, which may look like this, for example:

• Instruct employees
• Hold discussions with employees
• Hold discussions with suppliers etc.

2) Learning reflection dossier (weighting 1)

a) Learning reflection dossier (prepared in advance)

In the learning reflection dossier, candidates show and reflect on their approach during the preparation time for the exam as well as their learning skills. The latter means adapting and implementing what they have learned and finally assessing their own performance.

b) Examination discussion on the reflection dossier (oral, 30 minutes)

The basis for the examination interview is the learning reflection dossier. Candidates present and reflect on their approach during the preparation period and the examination. The interview takes place between the conflicting areas of "training" and "professional reality".

 

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Head of Hotel Housekeeping with a federal certificate" or "Head of Hotel Housekeeping with a federal certificate".

• In French: "Responsable du secteur hôtelier-intendance avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Responsabile del settore alberghiero-economia domestica con attestator professionale federale"
• In English: "Hospitality Service Manager, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (Attention: Not a protected title! This is merely a recommended translation).