Self-Assessment: Is the “Metal Construction Project Manager with Federal Diploma of Higher Education” course right for me?

What do the duties of a metal fabrication project manager entail?

Metal Construction Project Managers with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education or a Professional Bachelor’s degree work in the technical office of a metal construction, steel construction, or facade construction company. They calculate project costs, prepare bids, and coordinate the various work steps. They are capable of leading a team and supervising the installation process. This also includes supporting employees, instructing apprentices, and supervising work, as well as maintaining contact with and providing customer service to clients. Their work focuses on the design of metal and steel structures such as doors and gates, stairs and railings, windows, all-glass systems, canopies, facades, and sunrooms.

The following tasks are typical for metal fabrication project managers:

• Duties in the administrative and human resources areas:
  • Training of apprentices in the metal construction industry
  • Instructions for Staff in the Technical Office and for Metal Fabrication Drafters
  • Responsibility for the employees under their supervision
  • Responsibility for the execution of orders
  • Processing assigned tasks, delegating work to subordinates
  • Developing and Implementing Cost-Effective Solutions
  • Assignment and coordination of ongoing projects in the engineering department
  • Constructive and drawing project support
  • Responsibility for order preparation, including material procurement
  • Handing over orders to the workshop and assembly manager
  • Implementation of scheduling, organizational and technical specifications for the line, material procurement - workshop - assembly
  • Constructive support and monitoring of order execution
  • Cost calculation and monitoring

• Business management tasks:
  • Responsible for the setup in the technical office
  • Preparation of simple quotations and assistance with quotations for larger projects
  • Monitoring materials management
  • Control of working and production times
  • Proposals for rationalization measures
  • Dealing with customers and suppliers

Target Audience and Skills: Who is this continuing education, further training program and Federal Professional Examination intended for? What qualities and skills are required?

The continuing education program and Federal Professional Examination are designed for metal fabricators with a Federal VET Diploma and professionals with equivalent qualifications who wish to take on organizational responsibilities, lead, develop, and motivate employees, and pass on their knowledge to apprentices.

The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a metal construction designer:

• Leadership qualities, communication skills
• Interest in geometry, knowledge of mathematics
• Interest in technical drawing and planning
• Spatial imagination, logical thinking, sense of abstract relationships
• Technical understanding, interest in construction technology
• Sense of responsibility
• Reliability and organizational skills
• Precise working methods, patience, perseverance
• Interest in metalworking
• Ability to work in a team, sense of form

Requirements for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for Metal Construction Project Manager:

To be admitted to the Federal Professional Examination for “Metal Construction Project Manager,” the following are required at the time of the examination:

• Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFZ) as a Metal Fabrication Designeror in a related field
• at leasttwo years of professional experiencein the field of metal fabrication (after completing vocational education and training; since the continuing education, further training program lasts two years, it can be started immediately after completing an apprenticeship)
• Vocational Instructor Training Course
• the requiredModule completionsor certificates of equivalence

To be eligible for the federal examination, candidates must provide proof of completion of the following modules:

Module 1: Technology

• 1.1 Design
• 1.2 Materials Science and Process Engineering
• 1.3 Computer Science in Metal Fabrication
• 1.4 Statics and Strength of Materials
• 1.5 Building Physics

Module 2: Market / 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 Planning
• 4.2 Installation
• 4.3 Safety

Curriculum and Content of the Metal Fabrication Project Manager 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 Project Manager (Professional Bachelor) is based on the guidelines set by Metaltec Suisse, the responsible body for the Federal Professional 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, Structural Analysis and Strength of Materials, Building Physics, Computer Science
• Module 2: Market / People:Customers and Business Development, Cost Estimation, Human Resources Management
• Module 3: Business:Project Management, Operations Management, Legal Affairs

These topics and skills are covered inModule 4put into practice and applied in a networked manner.

Metal Construction Project Manager – Cost of Continuing Education, Further Training:

The cost of the metal fabrication project manager continuing education program varies depending on the provider, the duration of the continuing education, and its scope. The cost consists of the following components:

• Course costs:Approx. CHF 16,000–23,000* (Note: In some courses, preparation for the association certificate “Metal Construction Team Leader—Design and Assembly” is not included but is required for course admission.)
• Association Certificate,Examination and Administration: CHF 350
• Vocational Instructor Course:approx. CHF 800
• Fee for the Federal Professional ExaminationMetal Construction Project Manager CHF 1,800 (as of Fall 2026)
• Additional costs: Some schools charge extra, separately, for teaching materials, registration, test preparation, and similar items.

* Preparatory courses for federal examinations in higher vocational education and training receive financial support from the federal government. After taking the Federal Professional Examination, you can apply to the federal government for a refund of up to 50% of the course costs (max. CHF 9,500), even if you did not pass the examination. – 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 Project Management (FPE):

• Study model:The continuing education program for metal fabrication project managers ismodularstructured. Each module concludes with an exam; the final exam covers material from all modules.
• Levels and Duration: The continuing education program lastsfour semestersand consists oftwo steps. The first level is theory-based and leads to theAssociation Certificate: “Metal Construction Team Leader—Design and Assembly”. The second level builds on the association certificate, promotes networking and practical application, and leads to the Federal Professional Examination and theFederal Diploma of Higher Education: “Metal Construction Project Manager,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree. Continuing education, further training programs that do not include the association certificate but require it as a condition for admission last three semesters.
• Number of lessons: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.

Degree, diploma and title:

The Federal Professional Examination “Metal Construction Project Manager with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education / Metal Construction Project Manager 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 the three official languages: German, French, and Italian.

The Federal Professional Examination for Metal Construction Designers comprises the following three parts:

1. Practical Work (practical, 8 hours, weighted 2x)
   • Here, one to four planning documents must be prepared for a specific metal construction project.
2. Case Study (written, 8 hours, weighted 2x)
   • Here, project assignments must be formulated based on specific real-world situations from the day-to-day work of project management in metal construction.
3. Presentation and technical discussion (oral, approx. 1 hour, weighted 1:1)
   • 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

Graduates who successfully pass the Federal Professional Examination receive the federal certificate and are entitled to use the protected title “Metal Construction Project Manager with Federal Certificate” or “Steel Construction Project Manager with a Federal Certificate of Competence” and the optional additional English title “Professional Bachelor.”

• French: “Project Manager in Steel Construction with Federal Certificate, Professional Bachelor,” “Project Manager in Steel Construction with Federal Certificate, Professional Bachelor”
• Italian: “Project Manager for Metal Construction with Federal Professional Certification, Professional Bachelor’s Degree”

The recommended English translation is: “Metal Construction Project Manager with Federal Diploma of Higher Education” (Note: This is not a protected title)