Self-Assessment: Is the “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor with Federal Diploma of Higher Education (FPE)” program the right fit for me?

What is a typical workday like for a metal fabrication production and assembly supervisor with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education?

Metal fabrication production and assembly supervisors lead their teams of metal fabricators at metal fabrication companies (steel construction or facade construction firms). Together with their teams, they manufacture metal components. They oversee their production in the workshop and their assembly on the construction site.

A Day in the Life of a Production and Assembly Manager in the Metal Fabrication Industry:

Job Preparation:Define production steps, create workshop drawings, build models, set up machinery, determine and procure the necessary materials, prepare cost estimates and quotes, measure existing structures, plan installation work with project management, and—for smaller jobs—advise customers.

Management of Production and Assembly: Ensure optimal utilization of production facilities and adherence to deadlines; monitor the quality of work; introduce new machinery, work methods, or processes as needed; manage material procurement and storage; and oversee assembly on the construction site.

Leading Employees: Planning work assignments, ensuring workplace safety during production and assembly, providing instruction and training in the workshop, and ensuring the training of apprentices.

They are also responsible forMaterial Management,environmentally friendlyDisposalandRecyclingand theMaintenanceof workplace equipment.

Who is the “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor” Federal Professional Examination suitable for? What qualities and skills are required for it?

The “Metal Fabrication Production and Assembly Supervisor” continuing education, further training program is designed for individuals who have completed an apprenticeship in metal fabrication or a related field and wish to deepen their knowledge, advance their careers, and take on more responsibility.

Key qualities and skills required for the position of Production and Assembly Supervisor in Metal Fabrication are:

• technical understanding and manual dexterity
• spatial reasoning skills, organizational skills, and an interest in planning
• Enjoyment in carrying out custom projects and working with machines
• Precise working method
• Leadership skills
• not sensitive to noise

Requirements for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for Production and Assembly Managers in Metal Fabrication:

The following requirements apply for admission to the final examination (Federal Professional Examination) for the position of Metal Fabrication Production and Assembly Supervisor:

• FederalCertificate of Competency(Federal VET Diploma) asMetalworkeror a related profession
• At least since completing an apprenticeship2 years of professional experience in metal fabrication(after completing vocational education and training; since the continuing education, further training program lasts two years, students can begin it immediately after completing their apprenticeship)
• Proof of successful completion ofCourse for Vocational Instructors
• the requiredModule completionsor certificates of equivalence

The modules required for admission to the Federal Professional Examination are:

Module 1: Technology

• 1.1 Design
• 1.2 Materials Science and Process Engineering
• 1.4 Statics and Strength of Materials

Module 2: The Market and People

• 2.1 Customers and Acquisition
• 2.2 Cost Estimation
• 2.3 Human Resources Management

Module 3: Business

• 3.1 Project Management
• 3.2 Operations Management
• 3.3 Law

Module 4: Practical Application and Networking

• 4.1 Manufacturing
• 4.2 Installation
• 4.3 Safety
• 4.4 Service and Maintenance

Course Material and Content for the Metal Fabrication Production and Assembly Supervisor Further Training Program:

The curriculum for the preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination leading to the Federal Diploma of Higher Education as a Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor (Professional Bachelor) is based on the guidelines set by Metaltec Suisse, the responsible body for the federal examination, and leads to the required module certifications.

The course material covers the following topics and areas of competence:

• Module 1: Technology:Structural Engineering, Materials and Process Engineering, Mathematics, Building Physics
• Module 2: Market and People:Customers and Business Development, Cost Estimation, Human Resources Management
• Module 3: Business:Project Management, Operations Management, Legal Affairs

The topics and skills covered in Modules 1–3—planning, manufacturing, assembly, safety, maintenance, and service—are addressed inModule 4: Hands-On Practice and Networkingput into practice.

Costs and Financing for the Continuing Education Program for Metal Fabrication Production and Assembly Managers:

The cost of further training for metal fabrication production and assembly supervisors varies depending on the provider, the duration of the program, and its scope.

The costs consist of the following items:

• Course costs:Approx. CHF 16,300–25,800* (Please note: In some courses, preparation for the association certificate “Metal Construction Team Leader—Production and Assembly” is not included but is a prerequisite for course admission.)
• Association Certificate,Examination and Administration: CHF 350
• Vocational Instructor Course:approx. CHF 800
• Federal feeFederal Professional ExaminationMetal Fabrication Production and Assembly Supervisor CHF 2,250 (as of Fall 2026)
• Additional Costs: Some schools charge additional, separate fees for teaching materials, enrollment, test preparation, and similar services.

*Preparation courses for federal examinations in higher vocational education will befrom the federal governmentfinancially supported. After taking the Federal Professional Examination, you can apply to the federal government for a refund of up to 50% of the course fees (max. CHF 9,500), even if you did not pass the exam. – You can receive additional support (20% of the course costs) from the PLKM if you have passed the Federal Professional Examination, are covered by the L-GAV for the metalworking industry, and pay the monthly implementation and continuing education contributions.

Program structure, duration, number of lessons, class times, and time commitment for the continuing education, further training program in Metal Construction: Production and Assembly Supervisor (FPE)::

Study model:The continuing education program for metal fabrication production and assembly supervisors ismodularstructured. Each module concludes with an exam; the final exam covers material from all modules.

Levels and Duration: The continuing education program typically lasts four semesters and consists of two levels. The first level is theory-based and leads to the association certificate “Metal Construction Team Leader—Production and Assembly.” The second stage builds on the association certificate, focuses on networking and practical application, and leads to the Federal Professional Examination and the Federal Diploma of Higher Education. “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree. Continuing education, further training programs that do not include the association certificate but require it as an admission prerequisite last three semesters.

Number of class periods: The continuing education program consists of about 800 lessons.

Lesson times:Class times vary depending on the provider. In-person classes are held on two or three weekdays or on Saturdays, and some are offered as intensive sessions.

Self-study time:For lesson preparation and follow-up, as well as independent study, we recommend setting aside the same amount of time as you do for the lesson itself.

Certificate, Diploma, and Title of the Continuing Education Program “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor (FPE)”

The Federal Professional Examination “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education / Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education” is held annually, provided that at least 12 candidates meet the admission requirements; otherwise, it is held every two years. It can be taken in German, French, or Italian.

The Federal Professional Examination for Production and Assembly Managers in Metal Fabrication consists of the following parts:

• Practical Work (weighted twice, 8 hours)
  • Here, 1–3 workpieces must be manufactured based on a given manufacturing scenario.
• Case Study (written, weighted 1x, 8 hours)
  • Here, project assignments must be formulated based on specific real-world situations encountered in the day-to-day work of production and assembly managers in the metal fabrication industry.
• Presentation and technical discussion (oral, weighted 1x, approx. 1 hour)
  • The task here is to present the case study (Part 2 of the exam) to experts and answer their questions about the case study and the presentation.

Diploma and title: “Metal Fabrication Production and Assembly Supervisor”

Graduates who successfully complete the Federal Professional Examination receive the Federal Certificate of Competence and are entitled to use the protected title “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Supervisor with Federal Certificate of Competence” or “Metal Construction Production and Assembly Manager with a Federal Certificate” and the optional additional English title “Professional Bachelor.”

• In French: “Cheffe / Chef de production et de montage en construction métallique avec brevet fédéral,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree
• In Italian: “Capo di produzione e di montaggio costruzioni metalliche con attestato professionale federale,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree

In English: “Metal Construction Production and Construction Site Manager with an Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education and Training, Professional Bachelor” (Note: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)