Self-test: Is the course to become a "Building Technician HF" (formerly Technician HF Building Technology) the right one for me now?
Test here whether a job as a building technician HF (formerly technician HF building technology) suits you and whether a building technology course at a higher technical college (HF) is right for you.
Note: Since fall 2022, the HF technician courses (formerly "Techniker HF Fachrichtung") have been given a separate framework curriculum and a new title for each specialization. For example, the course "Technician HF Building Technology" is now called "Building Technician HF". In addition, the specializations Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Sanitation (HVACS) and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) have been removed from the framework curriculum. (You can find out more about the possible specializations in the self-test)
In addition: With the new framework curriculum of 21.10.2022, there are now two independent professions: Building technician HF and building automation technician HF. This self-test here refers to the building technician HF.
What does the everyday working life of building technicians with an HF diploma look like?
Building technicians HF (formerly technicians HF building technology) work in companies in the building technology sector, in trading and production companies or in engineering and planning offices. They are specialists in the fields of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and sanitation and plan, design and implement challenging projects.
Among other things, they ensure the smooth operation of building technology systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems, electrical and building automation systems as well as refrigeration and sanitary systems. Here, building technicians HF (formerly technicians HF building technology) are involved in every single step (conceptual work, project planning, planning, construction supervision, commissioning as well as monitoring, control and management of the systems over their entire service life). They take into account physical, economic, social and ecological aspects as well as official regulations and economic considerations.
They are informed about new materials, processes and products and use them in their projects. They also take on project management tasks: as a link between their own company and clients, authorities and other contractors, they advise customers professionally, coordinate and plan the work (staff management) and monitor costs and deadlines.
(Remember: the distribution of tasks can vary greatly depending on the company and job profile)
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a building technician HF (formerly technician HF building technology)?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this course. We wish you lots of fun and success.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing your HF degree, take a look at theEducational counseling offerfrom Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Based on the information you provide in the questionnaire, our education advisors will make suitable suggestions for courses, seminars or training programs, provide an overview of the different levels and types of education and assist you with questions about the Swiss education system. You will thus receive an initial overview based on the information you provide. This can support you in your search for or decision on the right education or further training.
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Also take a look at relevant job advertisements. You may find that there are only jobs that you are more suited to, in which case you are in the right place with this training.
Here is a selection of possible courses in related areas for inspiration:
- Building foreman (BP)
- Chief Heating Fitter (BP)
- Chief Ventilation Fitter (BP)
- Chief Plumbing Fitter (BP)
- Energy Consultant for Buildings (BP)
- Project Manager Building Services Engineering (BP)
- Construction management (HF)
- Construction planning (HF)
- Energy and environment (HF)
- Building construction (HF)
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. You will find a large selection on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Target group and skills: Who is the Building Services Engineering degree course for Building Services Technicians HF suitable for?
The building technology course at a higher technical college to become a building technician HF (formerly technician HF building technology) is suitable for
- Young professionals in building services engineering who are looking for a professional career
- People who want to further their education in the field of building technology
Building technicians HF should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Technical understanding
- Sense of responsibility
- Independent, accurate and reliable way of working
- analytical and conceptual skills
- Leadership and social skills
- Communication skills
- Ability to work in a team
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot apply directly for the HF diploma in Building Services Engineering HF. In this case, take a look atfollowing page. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you. You can also find helpful information on training and further education in the field of building technology in our guide.Hereto download free of charge.
- If you do not have the necessary previous education*, then look for a suitable training opportunity. Even as an adult, it is possible, for example, to obtain the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or a general qualification at upper secondary level. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you don't have the necessary professional experience in the building services sector, use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this role. Look out for training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
*A list of the relevant EFZ can be found in theFramework curriculumfor building technicians HF (formerly technician HF building technology).
Requirements for admission to the Building Technology HF course:
The higher technical colleges (HF) decide independently who is admitted to a building technology course and the admission procedure. For this reason, there may be differences between the providers.
The admission procedure is set out and regulated in the study regulations of the respective HF. It must comply with the relevant legal requirements*.
In order to be able to start a building technology course to become a building technician HF (formerly technician HF building technology) at a higher technical college (HF), you must generally meet the following admission requirements.
- Completion of relevant basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) **
Or
- Completion of a 3-year basic vocational training (EFZ) in another field or vocational, technical or high school diploma and relevant professional experience (usually at least 1 year) in the technical field
Further conditions:
- During the part-time HF Building Technology course: at least 50% employment in the technical field.
- Depending on the school: entrance examination or aptitude test and/or attendance of a preliminary course, for example in mathematics.
Note: In some cases, it is possible to have educational achievements already completed credited. Please contact the provider of your choice directly.
* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.
** A list of the relevant EFZs can be found in theFramework curriculumfor building technicians HF.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
- If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training, then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you are not sure whether you have a relevant EFZ, please contact the sponsoring organization: "Conference of Colleges of Technology KHF-T" and "Swiss-Liechtenstein Building Technology Association (suissetec)"
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for Building Services Technician HF (formerly Techniker HF Gebäudetechnik), clarify your chances directly with the school of your choice.
- If you have too little or no (relevant) professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the technical field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training, then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance"
- If you are not sure whether you have a relevant EFZ, please contact the sponsoring organization: "Conference of Colleges of Technology KHF-T" and "Swiss-Liechtenstein Building Technology Association (suissetec)"
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for Building Services Technician HF (formerly Techniker HF Gebäudetechnik), clarify your chances directly with the school of your choice.
- If you have too little or no (relevant) professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the technical field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Subject matter and content of the training
The learning content taught in a HF Building Technology course is generally based on the "Building Technology HF" framework curriculum.
The sponsors of the framework curriculum are as follows:
- Organization of the world of work (OdA). Swiss-Liechtenstein Building Services Engineering Association (suisstec)
- Representation of the training providers: Conference of Higher Technical Colleges KHF-T
The sponsoring body is responsible for drawing up the framework curriculum and for periodically checking that it is up to date and of high quality.
Nevertheless, the universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their building technology courses. Which course content is ultimately covered and how it is structured or deepened can therefore vary from college to college. The universities of applied sciences can also offer specializations, for example.*
As a rule, the following topics are addressed:
- Building technology
- Thermodynamics
- Heating technology
- Ventilation technology
- Sanitary technology
- Physics
- Communication
- Project management
- Business administration
- Mathematics
- Finance and accounting
- Law
*Training providers, i.e. schools, can use a maximum of 10% of the total learning hours for content-related specializations. The protected title "qualified building technician HF" remains unchanged.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this HF course, take a look at other training and further education courses. You may find a course that suits you better. The following could be suitable alternatives, for example:
Obviously the typical subject areas of Building Technician HF are not your thing. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs depend on the provider, the training location and the training model and can therefore vary. In general, the following costs can be expected for the 6-semester Building Technology course:
- Tuition fees:The semester fee depends on the school and your canton of residence. You can expect to pay between CHF 19,800 and CHF 29,100 for students resident in the canton of training*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are usually included in the course fees.
- Additional degrees:for example, language certificates or project management certificates (IPMA) (an overview of IPMA certificates can be found in the answers)
- Other extra costs:Some providers charge extra costs for the registration fee and student ID card, preliminary courses, teaching materials, special software, licenses, laboratory exercises, practicals, training documents, examinations/diploma theses and examination retakes. Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.
* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following conditions apply in order to receive cantonal funding:
- at least two years of residence in the canton
- The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance approx. CHF 19,800 - CHF 29,100 for your studies and examination/diploma thesis?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount if you pay in full in advance. Some schools also offer a special price if you book very early.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of HF courses eligible for funding.
Hereyou will find an overview of IPMA training courses.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of HF courses eligible for funding.
Hereyou will find an overview of IPMA training courses.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of HF courses eligible for funding.
Hereyou will find an overview of IPMA training courses.
Duration of study, number of teaching hours Teaching times, teaching format and learning effort
- Duration of studyThe modular building services engineering course to become a certified building services engineer HF (formerly technician HF building services engineering) takes 4 semesters (full-time) or 6 semesters (part-time)*.
- Number of lessonsThe course comprises 3600 learning hours with a relevant EFZ. For courses without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours generally increases to 5400 learning hours; please contact the school of your choice. The professional activity (practice in a relevant occupation) during the part-time HF Building Technology course is credited with a maximum of 720 hours (with a relevant EFZ) or a maximum of 1800 hours (without a relevant EFZ) towards the training period. The practical training (internships in a practice-oriented or real field of work accompanied by specialists) in full-time studies amounts to at least 720 hours (with relevant EFZ) or at least 1800 hours (without relevant EFZ). Learning hours also include contact studies (with qualified supervision), guided self-study, individual self-study and qualification procedures (e.g. semester examinations, intermediate examinations, diploma examinations, diploma theses or assessed semester theses). How these learning hours are divided up in terms of time is defined in the framework curriculum.
- Lesson timesThe part-time or full-time HF Building Technology course is offered at different times. For example, one evening and one full day per week or two to three evenings per week
- Teaching formatMany schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
- Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.
* At some schools, professionals with a technical vocational baccalaureate can benefit from a shortened course of study. Please contact the school of your choice directly.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take the opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than six semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The qualification procedure for the building technology training to become a certified building technician HF (formerly technician HF building technology) is generally as follows:
- The results of the previous semester examinations and/or assessed semester papers (so-called experience grades)
- Diploma thesis: The diploma thesis is practice-oriented; candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. The thesis is written individually on a topic relevant to building services engineering. It is written at the end of the course (can also be integrated into the 5th or 6th semester). Here too, the time frame is determined by the respective HF in its study regulations.
- The thesis is also presented to a panel of experts (a group of specialists) and then defended in a discussion.
Diploma and title
Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Dipl. Gebäudetechniker HF / dipl. Gebäudetechnikerin HF".
In French: "Technicienne diplômée ES en technique des bâtiments / Technicien diplômé ES en technique des bâtiments"
In Italian: "Tecnica dipl. SSS in tecnica degli edifici / Technico dipl. SSS in tecnica degli edifici"
In English: "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Building Technology" (note: not a protected title, this is merely a recommendation)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the higher technical college for the HF diploma?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
You can find suitable offers here:
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the building technology training, further education, study for a federal HF diploma does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Building Technician HF (formerly Technician HF Building Technology) is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a building technician HF (formerly technician HF building technology) does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Building technology training at a university of applied sciences (HF) is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin