EFZ logistics technician: What does your day-to-day work look like?

There are three specialist areas in logistics: Warehousing, distribution and transportation*:

In theWarehouse arealogistics specialists ensure that all goods are stored properly and are correctly recorded in the computer system. They unpack incoming goods, check them against the shipping documents and then move them to their place in the warehouse using forklift trucks or special conveyor systems. When orders are received, they collect the ordered goods, pack them properly and hand them over to the carrier together with the delivery documents. To ensure that the actual stocks match the figures in the computer system, they regularly recount and, if necessary, correct the figures in the warehouse accounting system.

In theDistribution divisioninvolves collecting, sorting and distributing mail items such as letters, parcels and money. Logisticians work in Swiss Post sorting and distribution centers or in the shipping or express service of Swiss Post or private parcel services. They travel by car, moped, bicycle or on foot to distribute consignments to households and businesses. Depending on the job, they also accept consignments or collect fees for cash on delivery consignments.

In theTransportationlogistics specialists ensure that the train compositions are put together correctly and are ready when they are needed. They communicate by radio with the train drivers of the shunting trains, prepare the trains for departure and issue the necessary documents. They unload goods from incoming trucks, accept luggage at the counter and transport the goods to the correct rail wagons using forklift trucks.

* Since January 1, 2024, the new training ordinance and curriculum for the logistics profession has been in force. With this revision, there are now only two specializations as part of the basic vocational training for logistics technicians EFZ: Warehouse and Distribution. The transport specialization now runs as an independent course leading to the EFZ rail transport specialist.

Target group and skills: For whom is the catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 BBV to become an EFZ logistics technician with a federal certificate of proficiency suitable? What qualities and skills are required?

The preparatory courses for the qualification procedure for logistics technicians EFZ as part of catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 of the Vocational Training Ordinance (BBV) are aimed at professionals from the logistics sector who wish to prepare for the apprenticeship qualification for adults.

Logisticians with a federal certificate of proficiency should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Interest in transportation and logistics
• Independence, flexibility, planning and organizational flair
• Solution and customer-oriented thinking
• Technical understanding
• Sense of responsibility
• Precise working method
• Reliability
• Ability to work in a team

Requirements for admission to the QV for EFZ logistics technicians as part of catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 BBV:

You must meet the following requirements for admission to the qualification procedure (final apprenticeship examination):

• 5 years of professional experience, including 3 years in the logistics sector (part-time is credited accordingly)
• Forklift driver's license

In addition, sufficient or good knowledge of German (level B1-B2) and mathematics is required.

The cantonal office for vocational education and training in your canton of residence decides on admission to the qualification procedure (QV). Interested persons must submit a corresponding application to the Vocational Training Office. This office then checks whether the admission requirements are met and decides on any exemptions for the QV (e.g. for the "general education" part of the examination).

By the way:Admission to the QV is not dependent on attending a specific course. The following information applies: Professionals from the logistics sector who wish to complete the QV without basic vocational training must acquire the relevant vocational and general knowledge. They are free to choose how they prepare for the QV. The following options are available:

• Visit to the vocational school with the apprentices
• Attending special courses for adults: For professions in which many adults are catching up on their vocational qualifications, there are training courses specially designed for adults. They usually take place every week in the evening and/or on Saturdays.
• Self-study: preparation for the QV without attending school, using the teaching materials used at the vocational schools

Subject matter and content of the further training / preparation for the qualification procedure

The examination and learning material is divided into the following parts:

• Vocational training: the basics of the logistics profession
• Specialist knowledge: specific knowledge depending on the chosen direction: warehouse or distribution
• General education: The subjects "Language and Communication" and "Society" are taught here
• Inter-company courses (ÜK): acquisition of basic practical skills (in addition to training in the company and at vocational school)*

The subject matter in the vocational and technical knowledge sections is based on the competencies to be taught, which are set out in the training plan for EFZ logistics technicians:

Action skills in the field of logistics:

• Organizing the orders
• Designing and optimizing the work assignment
• Receiving and managing goods
• Distribution of goods
• Processing of shipments and service orders**
• Delivery of consignments and provision of services**
• Storage of goods***
• Picking goods***

**Vocational skills for the field of distribution:

• accept shipments and service orders and advise customers on them
• Collect and receive shipments from customers
• Preparing consignments for the sorting processes
• Sorting and picking consignments for the delivery organizations and preparing them for onward transport
• Provide shipments and work equipment for the delivery process
• Prepare and provide logistics services
• Plan and organize distribution processes
• Deliver consignments and goods according to route planning
• Returning or disposing of shipments and goods in reverse logistics

***Vocational skills for the logistics specialization:

• Accepting and handling goods and updating goods inventories
• Store goods and optimize the warehouse
• Record stock levels and flow of goods in the system and evaluate data
• Determine goods requirements and optimize delivery readiness
• Picking and visually checking goods
• Preparing and loading picked goods for transportation
• Analyze and optimize order picking systems, especially with regard to material flow, data flow and organization

* As part of the catch-up training for adults in accordance with Art. 32 BBV, interested persons do not have to attend the inter-company courses (these are compulsory for regular apprentices). Nevertheless, it is recommended to attend these courses to ensure complete preparation for the QV. The logistics association ASVL SVBL offers corresponding courses.

Costs and financing of further training

In general, the following costs must be expected for the four-semester, part-time logistics apprenticeship as part of catch-up training for adults in accordance with Art. 32 BBV:

• Teaching materials and registration fees: approx. CHF 1'000.
• Lessons in special classes for adults (vocational, technical and general education): approx. CHF 1300 to CHF 2000 (depending on the school)
• Inter-company courses:
  • Module üK 1 and üK3 "Receiving goods and managing goods": CHF 740.
  • Module 4 "Distribution of goods": CHF 270.
  • Module 5 G2 "Warehouse management: CHF 500.
  • Module 5 G1A "Training as an ASFL SVBL aerial work platform operator": CHF 520.
  • Module 5 G1B "Industrial training": CHF 300.
• Forklift driver's license: between approx. CHF 1200.- and CHF 3500.-
• Material fee for the QV: CHF 390.
• Expert costs for the QV: between CHF 150 and CHF 250 (varies depending on the canton)

Teaching materials and registration fees must always be paid by the student. The costs for general education subjects may be waived if you have a dispensation from the Vocational Training Office. The costs for inter-company costs are also only incurred if you attend a corresponding course; these are not compulsory as part of the catch-up training for adults.

There are different regulations regarding the assumption of costs by the canton.
Certain cantons, for example, grant scholarships. Information can be obtained from the respective municipal office.

Duration of study, teaching times, number of lessons, form of teaching and learning effort

• Duration:The catch-up course for adults lasts two years and is completed on a part-time basis.
• Lesson timesThe logistics training takes place weekly on an evening or on a Saturday, depending on the school and the courses on offer.
• Number of lessonsNumber of lessons for vocational and technical studies approx. 320 and for general education approx. 160 (depending on the school).
• Teaching format:Lessons usually take place on the school's premises (classroom teaching).
• Learning effort:Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the course, 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 prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Degree, diploma and title

The qualification procedure (final apprenticeship examination/LAP) is a centrally organized examination that is used to determine whether candidates have acquired the skills required for successful professional activity. It includes the following parts:

• Specified practical work (VPA): 6 hours (weighting 50%)
• Professional knowledge: 3 hours (weighting 20%)
• General education

Diploma and title

Successful graduates receive a Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) and are entitled to use the following protected federal title:

• German: Logistikerin EFZ / Logistiker EFZ
• French: Logisticienne CFC / Logisticien CFC
• Italian: Impiegata in logistica AFC / Impiegato in logistica AFC