Self-test: Is the course "Fachfrau Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EFZ / Fachmann Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EFZ", catch-up training for adults in accordance with Art. 32 BBV, the right course for me?

Specialist in hotel housekeeping EFZ / Specialist in hotel housekeeping (formerly specialist in housekeeping EFZ / specialist in housekeeping EFZ): What does your day-to-day work look like?

The hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ performs the typical tasks of a housekeeper in large households, hospitals, retirement and care centers, facilities for the disabled, restaurants or hotels. They are the good soul of the house, making sure that everything looks inviting and cozy, is tidy and clean and that potted plants and pets are just as comfortable as the guests, residents or patients.

In addition to the daily cleaning of all rooms, corridors and sanitary facilities, they take care of the laundry and can also do minor sewing and repair work themselves. In larger homes, they take care of the organization and distribution of food, in smaller facilities they make the menus themselves and also cook.

As trained professionals, they instruct apprentices and instruct auxiliary staff and external personnel. They also carry out the administrative tasks involved in the management and administration of cleaning materials, kitchen supplies and laundry requirements independently; in large facilities, they may also provide services for residents and customers such as errands or the internal distribution of mail.

Target group and skills: For whom is the catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 BBV to become a hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ / hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ with a federal certificate of competence suitable? What qualities and skills are required?

The courses to prepare for the qualification procedure (QV), i.e. the final apprenticeship examination (LAP), to become a specialist in hotel housekeeping EFZ or a specialist in hotel housekeeping (formerly specialist in housekeeping EFZ / specialist in housekeeping EFZ) as part of catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 BBV (Vocational Training Ordinance) are aimed at professionals from the hotel and housekeeping sector who wish to obtain the federal certificate of competence.

Home economics specialists with a federal certificate of competence should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Friendly demeanor and pleasure in dealing with people
• Reliable, fast and precise way of working
• Practical disposition
• Good physical constitution
• Organizational talent
• Reliability and trustworthiness
• Sense of order, hygiene and cleanliness
• Ability to work in a team
• Good communication skills
• Operational readiness even at weekends

Prerequisites for admission to the QV for hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ / hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ 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, also known as LAP) to become a hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ or a hotel housekeeping specialist EFZ (formerly housekeeping specialist EFZ / housekeeping specialist EFZ):

• 5 years of professional practice, including 3 years in housekeeping
• Good written and spoken German (at least B2)
• Good written and spoken English skills (at least A2)
• Employment (at least 40%) in a company in the hotel housekeeping sector
• Sewing machine and IT skills are an advantage.

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 have been met and decides on any exemptions for the QV.

By the way:Admission to the QV is not dependent on attending a specific course. The following information applies: Professionals from the hotel and catering 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 wish to prepare for the QV. The following options are available:

• Attending vocational school with the regular apprentices (young people)
• Attend special courses for adults (covered in this self-test): For professions in which many adults catch 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 training

The course content for the EFZ hotel housekeeping specialist (formerly EFZ housekeeping specialist) is basically divided into the following parts:

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

The subject matter in the vocational knowledge and technical knowledge sections is based on the skills to be taught, which are set out in the training plan for hotel and catering specialists EFZ:

Overview of competencies in the hotel and catering industry:

• Appearance and communication*
• Serving drinks and food**
• Cleaning and designing rooms
• Ensuring the supply of laundry
• Organizing and implementing operational processes

*Vocational competencies with additional operational performance targets in the hotel industry:

• Advising and looking after guests and customers in the field of hotel housekeeping: conducting simple conversations in a second national language or English, reproducing or forwarding verbal messages received in a second national language or English. Receive and process feedback from guests and customers in the field of hotel housekeeping

**Occupational competencies with additional operational performance targets in home economics:

• Ordering and preparing food and drinks: Ordering the required ingredients and preparing simple dishes from fresh products as well as semi-finished and finished products in a professional, target group and situation-specific manner, operating kitchen aids, machines and equipment for the preparation of simple dishes, implementing specifications, implementing recommendations and operational specifications on hygiene, occupational safety and health protection in connection with the preparation of simple dishes.

Practical training is the responsibility of the candidates as part of their employment in the company. You are also required to keep a record of what you have learned in practice.

* 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 graduates of the regular home economics apprenticeship). Nevertheless, it is recommended that you attend these courses to ensure that you are fully prepared for the QV. You can obtain more information from theOdA Home Economics Switzerland.

Time spent on classroom teaching and learning (homework)

The course lasts 2 years and can be completed while working. Vocational studies are taught for a whole day each week. The general subjects are taught two evenings a week.

In addition to lessons, homework and studying for exams take another 3-4 hours per week.

Conclusion

Which final exams do I have to pass?

The course content required to obtain the certificate of proficiency is taught in modules:

• Each module is completed with a certificate of competence
• The Office for Vocational Education and Training confirms each successfully completed module with a certificate
• On request, we can clarify what experience and skills are already available before the start of training (= skills assessment)

Modules and proof of competence:

• Nutrition and catering : Practical and written exam
• Living and cleaning technology : Practical and written exam
• Guest relations and service : written exam
• Laundry care : Practical and written exam
• Administration : written exam
• Health and social services : Solving a case study
• General education : compulsory module for people without a vocational qualification