Self-test: Is the "Cleaning Technology Specialist EFZ" (formerly Building Cleaner EFZ) course the right one for me?

Cleaning technology specialist EFZ (formerly building cleaner EFZ): What does your day-to-day work look like?

Cleaning technology specialists (formerly building cleaners EFZ) are professionals in cleaning homes, offices, restaurants, schools, stores, factories, buses and trains. They are familiar with the various cleaning methods and equipment and can use cleaning agents correctly.

During regular maintenance cleaning in homes or hospitals, they are in contact with the residents and take their needs into consideration. Cleaning jobs in stores or office buildings often take place outside of opening or office hours, which requires the cleaners to be flexible in terms of time. Machines are often used for removal cleaning or final building cleaning, which they can also service and maintain themselves.

Specialists in cleaning technology EFZ also clean facades or remove graffiti, remove stains from carpets or remove chewing gum from various materials.

Before the job, they plan the schedule, put together the materials and write reports at the end. With some professional experience, they take on tasks as team leader or group leader, plan the employees' assignments and instruct the apprentices.

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

The courses to prepare for the qualification procedure (QV) for adults to become an EFZ cleaning technology specialist (formerly EFZ building cleaner) as part of catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 BBV (Vocational Training Ordinance) are aimed at professionals from the building cleaning sector who wish to catch up on the federal apprenticeship qualification.

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

• Courteous and service-oriented manners
• Willingness to work on call
• Good PC skills and command of the German language
• Conscientiousness, reliability and quality awareness
• Practical understanding and mechanical technical flair
• Good health, no fear of heights
• Sense of order, hygiene and cleanliness
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work in a team

Prerequisites for admission to the QV as a cleaning technology specialist EFZ as part of catch-up training in accordance with Art. 32 BBV

To be admitted to the qualification procedure (QV, also known as the final apprenticeship examination, LAP) for cleaning technology specialists EFZ (formerly known as building cleaners EFZ), you must meet the following requirements:

• 5 years of professional experience, including 3 years in the cleaning sector
• Good written and spoken German (at least B2)

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.

Good to know:Admission to the QV is not dependent on attending a specific course.
The following information: Professionals in the field of commercial cleaning who wish to take the QV as adults are responsible for acquiring the relevant vocational and general knowledge themselves. They are free to choose how they 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 material for the EFZ cleaning technology specialist (formerly EFZ building cleaner) is basically divided into the following parts:

• Professional knowledge: the basics of the cleaning profession
• 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 for the vocational part is based on the skills to be taught, which are set out in the training plan for cleaning technology specialists EFZ:

• Preparation of cleaning services
• Cleaning of buildings and objects
• Conclusion of cleaning services
• Provision and maintenance of equipment, machines and accessories

Practical training is the responsibility of the candidates as part of their employment in the company.

* 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 mandatory for apprentices in a regular building cleaning apprenticeship). Nevertheless, it is recommended that you attend these courses to ensure complete preparation for the QV. You can obtain more information from the vocational college of your choice.

Costs and financing of further training

In general, the following costs must be expected for the four-semester, part-time cleaning technology postgraduate course for adults in accordance with Art. 32 BBV:

• Teaching materials and registration fees: approx. CHF 1'000.
• Lessons in special classes for adults (vocational and general education): approx. CHF 16,400 (depending on the school)
• Inter-company courses: approx. CHF 4,000
• Final examination: approx. CHF 1'000.

Teaching materials and registration fees must always be paid by the student. The costs for the 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 obligatory as part of catch-up training for adults.

Different regulations exist with regard to the assumption of teaching costs by the canton.
Certain cantons, for example, grant scholarships. Information can be obtained from the respective municipal office.

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

• Duration:The catch-up training for adults to become an EFZ cleaning technology specialist (formerly EFZ building cleaner) takes two years and is completed alongside work.
• Lesson times:The training takes place one evening or Saturday a week, depending on the school and what is on offer.
• Form of instruction:Lessons usually take place on site on the school's premises.
• 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 (QV, formerly: 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): 16 hours. Candidates are assigned to a work area and receive an order to carry out. All necessary machines, equipment and products for cleaning and maintenance are provided.
• Professional knowledge: written examination 2.25 hours and oral examination 45 minutes.
• 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: Specialist in cleaning technology EFZ / Specialist in cleaning technology EFZ
• French: Agente de propreté CFC / Agent de propreté CFC
• Italian: Operatrice technical di pulizia AFC / Operatore tecnico di pulizia AFC