In many cases, the Colleges of Higher Education (CHE) require students to pass an entrance examination, attend a preliminary course with insufficient knowledge, e.g. in mathematics, or have one year of professional experience in order to study to become a mechanical engineering technician (new: mechanical engineering technician CHE). However, as this varies from school to school, the detailed admission requirements must be requested individually from each school (via the contact form). As a rule, however, all candidates are expected to have a vocational qualification in the electrical, mechanical or metal industry, as a plant and apparatus engineer, polymechanic, mold maker, automation technician, design engineer or in a comparable profession with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and to be working at least 50% of the time during their training at the CHE to become a graduate mechanical engineering technician (formerly a technician at the CHE in mechanical engineering).

The subjects taught in the mechanical engineering technician HF apprenticeship (formerly technician HF mechanical engineering) include physics and mathematics, mechanics, IT and control technology, design theory, design theory, drive technology and electrical engineering. However, prospective mechanical engineering technicians also learn how to develop products, design assemblies and machines, manage production and operate and maintain systems.

The personal technician requirements in the mechanical engineering field are:

• Technical understanding
• Ability to lead employees and work in a team
• High sense of responsibility
• Organizational and planning skills

The reasons for the interest in continuing education in mechanical engineering HF are mainly due to the fact that interested parties want to match the course with their own needs. According to a survey conducted by Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch, 74% of those interested in the course were interested in mechanical engineering. 18% of those surveyed stated that the course had been recommended to them as the reason for their interest. 8 % of respondents want to train to become a technician in mechanical engineering, as this is required in many job advertisements. In most cases, therefore, self-motivation lies behind the interest.

Free text answers show further triggers of interest in mechanical engineering (HF) further training:

• See how the course is structured
• As I trained as a locksmith and have been a maintenance locksmith for 20 years, this is my area of expertise
• My personal career goal
• I am interested in a lecturer position
• I would like to expand my knowledge in this area
• Receive general information for a senior

After passing the course and examination, participants in the HF course are entitled to use the federally recognized title: "graduate mechanical engineering technician HF" (formerly "graduate technician HF mechanical engineering"). After two years of practical experience, it is also possible to extend this title with the European-recognized "EurEta Engineer".

Training to become a qualified mechanical engineering technician CHE (formerly qualified mechanical engineering technician CHE) takes between 6 and 7 semesters, depending on the College of Higher Education (CHE). The full-time course lasts 4 semesters. Ask the school of your choice about the exact duration.

No, full-time training to become a mechanical engineering technician HF (new: mechanical engineering technician HF) is the exception rather than the rule these days. For this reason, you will find almost exclusively in-service training courses in this area of further education.

A mechanical engineering technician HF (formerly technician HF mechanical engineering) takes on specialist and management tasks in their area of responsibility. Mechanical engineers are involved in the planning and development of machines and components, realize them and produce them. For example, they develop new processes or industrially manufacturable products according to customer requirements, design machines, build prototypes and test their functionality. To do this, they use simulation and design software to optimize solutions, calculate variants, create production templates, define dimensions and determine material requirements. HF mechanical engineers (formerly HF mechanical engineering technicians) also work in production, where they are entrusted with planning and managing production, ensuring optimal capacity utilization, scheduling employee deployment, monitoring costs and deadlines and ensuring quality assurance. They are also responsible for the operation and maintenance of systems, maintenance and renewal work.

As a mechanical engineering technician HF, you can apply for the title of engineer after two years of practice. You can find further informationhere. Those who receive the title can then call themselves engineers.

The survey conducted by Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch among those interested in studying Mechanical Engineering HF revealed the following reasons for inquiries to schools:

• 45 % were recommended the requested school(s)
• 38% have read one or more online reviews about the school/s
• 17 % already know the school/s before the request

When enquiring about schools for the HF mechanical engineering technician course (formerly HF mechanical engineering technician), the majority of prospective students rely on personal experience or recommendations. However, respondents also indicated "out of personal interest", "not yet enquired", "it is the nearest school in my area", "due to proximity to home", "I found it on the internet", "compare offers, compare costs for course", "because it is nearby" or "location" as optional answers.

Mechanical engineers with an HF diploma have the following opportunities for further development:

• Courses offered by professional associations, higher technical colleges and universities of applied sciences
• University of Applied Sciences for a Bachelor of Science (FH) in Mechanical Engineering or degree programs in related fields, e.g. Bachelor of Science (FH) in Systems Engineering, in Microtechnology, in Electrical Engineering or in Computer Science
• Postgraduate level
• Offers from higher technical colleges and universities of applied sciences in areas such as mechanical engineering, IT, electrical engineering, microtechnology, project and quality management, business administration, technical management, etc.

With a mechanical engineering technician apprenticeship (CHE level), graduates can achieve the following:

• manage a team or department as a project manager
• have practice-oriented expert knowledge in the field of mechanical engineering and construction technology
• Apply basic knowledge in the areas of technology, economics, business administration, project management and business management
• apply in-depth knowledge of CAD product design, materials science, strength of materials, machine elements, automation, production engineering and metrology
• have an overview of all product development and production areas and make entrepreneurial decisions (including computer-aided production processes)
• Developing assemblies and machines from the idea to product maturity
• Determine your own study focus by specializing in aircraft technology, construction technology, plastics technology or production technology
• Federally recognized qualification as a certified mechanical engineering technician
• apply for the European recognized title Engineer EurEta after two years of practice
• Follow-up options with a shortened Bachelor's degree at a University of Applied Sciences or attend postgraduate courses