Self-test: Is the "EFZ logistics technician" course the right one for me?
Analysis of the activities of logisticians with an EFZ certificate
Who is the "EFZ logistics technician" course intended for?
- Professionals in the field of logistics who would like to catch up on the federally recognized apprenticeship qualification
What does the day-to-day work of logisticians look like? What are their tasks?
There are three specialist areas in logistics: Warehousing, distribution and transportation
In theWarehouse arealogistics specialists ensure that all goods are stored properly and are correctly recorded in the computer system. They unpack incoming goods, check them against the shipping documents and then move them to their place in the warehouse using forklift trucks or special conveyor systems. When orders are received, they collect the ordered goods, pack them properly and hand them over to the carrier together with the delivery documents. To ensure that the actual stocks match the figures in the computer system, they regularly recount and, if necessary, correct the figures in the warehouse accounting system.
In theDistribution divisioninvolves collecting, sorting and distributing mail items such as letters, parcels and money. Logisticians work in Swiss Post sorting and distribution centers or in the shipping or express service of Swiss Post or private parcel services. They travel by car, moped, bicycle or on foot to distribute consignments to households and businesses. Depending on the job, they also accept consignments or collect fees for cash on delivery consignments.
In theTransportationlogistics specialists ensure that the train compositions are put together correctly and are ready when they are needed. They communicate by radio with the train drivers of the shunting trains, prepare the trains for departure and issue the necessary documents. They unload goods from incoming trucks, accept luggage at the counter and transport the goods to the correct rail wagons using forklift trucks.
Job descriptions in job advertisements for logistics technicians EFZ:
| Main tasks in the warehouse | Frequency in % |
|---|---|
| Storage and retrieval of goods, posting in the inventory management program, checking stock levels, stocktaking, general warehouse work | 35 |
| Receiving and incoming goods inspection, preparing goods for storage | 15 |
| Process customer orders. Picking and preparing, packing and labeling goods. Issue delivery documents, customs documents and shipping orders. | 35 |
| Transporting goods within the company or warehouse, loading and unloading transport vehicles | 15 |
| Main tasks in distribution | Frequency in % |
|---|---|
| Assembling parcels and postal items, scanning goods, preparing tours, loading and preparing vehicles | 20 |
| Delivering letters and parcels | 80 |
| Main tasks in transport | Frequency in % |
|---|---|
| Plan and manage shunting operations. Dismantle freight trains and regroup them according to the plan. Preparing trains for the journey | 70 |
| Carry out brake tests on the trains together with the locomotive crew and prepare the brake calculations | 15 |
| Collect the trolley from the customer or bring it to the customer. Recording and forwarding customer needs | 15 |
The weighting of the individual areas of responsibility can vary greatly depending on the job profile.
Typical requirements in job advertisements:
- Training as a logistics technician EFZ / EBA, logistics assistant EFZ / EBA
- SUVA recognized forklift license
- Craftsmanship and a sense of order
- Technical understanding of the operation of the various vehicles and aids
- Quick comprehension and good memory
- Good physical health
- Sense of responsibility and reliability
- Stamina and ability to concentrate
- Good manners
- Willingness and pleasure to work in a team
- For distribution: Driver's license
Question 1:
Do the activities of EFZ logistics specialists meet my expectations?
You are probably already familiar with the area of work and can assess whether you would like to continue doing this work. The next question is about whether this route to an apprenticeship qualification is suitable for you.
If you do not like these activities based on the description, you should reconsider why you would like to complete the apprenticeship. If you are already working in this field and do not yet have a recognized qualification, this could be an important step that could give you access to further training. If you are looking for a lateral entry into this field and are not happy with the description of the areas of responsibility, you should perhaps reconsider which other areas might be suitable for you.
Course description "Logistician EFZ"
The most important key points of the "Logistician EFZ" course are described here:
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Question 2:
Are you generally interested in this course?
If you are interested in this course but answered "Partly" or "No" to question 1, you should try to find out if there are other types of jobs that you could do with this training that you like better than the job profile described in question 1.
If you have already answered "yes" to question 1, then this path seems to fit your ideas in principle.
If you like the job description under question 1 or certain parts of it and you have marked "No" here, there are several possible alternatives for you:
If you do not yet have a recognized qualification and have been working in logistics for some time, there are other ways to obtain a federal certificate of proficiency. You can obtain information about this from your cantonal vocational training office or here:Catch up on vocational qualifications
If you already have another basic education or a high school diploma and at least three years of professional experience in one of the logistics areas, you could also inquire about your admission options for a federal professional examination or look at the requirements for obtaining a truck or locomotive driver's license. Examples are
- Transportation and Logistics Dispatcher (BP)
- Logistician (BP)
- Logistics specialist (BP)
- Train driver
- Truck driver (road transport specialist EFZ)
You can find descriptions of these and other professions in the two free career guides "Training and further training in road, rail and air transport" and "Training and further training in logistics and supply chain management" on this portal:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/Bildungshilfe/Ratgeber/
Requirements for admission to the final apprenticeship examination (QV):
- 5 years of professional experience, including 3 years in the logistics sector
- Forklift driver's license
Sufficient knowledge of German and mathematics is required for admission to the course.
Question 3:
Do I meet the requirements?
If you meet the requirements, you can take the next steps.
If you do not yet have any professional experience in the field of logistics, this path is not suitable for you. This so-called catch-up training for adults allows professionals with practical experience to have their skills recognized retrospectively.
If you have an apprenticeship qualification in another field, you can try to enter logistics via higher vocational education and training. You can find an overview of all job profiles in this field in the free career guide "Training and further education in logistics and supply chain management":https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/Bildungshilfe/Ratgeber/
If you can prove that you have the required professional experience but do not yet have a forklift driving license, ask the forklift course providers about your options.
And if you are not sure whether your German and math skills are sufficient, there is an aptitude test you can take to check this. Further information and registration options can be found on the homepage of theBasic-Check aptitude tests.
Financing of further training
The course fees for the "EFZ Logistics Specialist" course are to be paid partly by semester and partly in advance. The amount of the costs depends on whether your canton of residence covers part of them.
Question 4:
Are you able to finance between CHF 1,000 for registration fees and school documents and a maximum of CHF 15,000 for the entire vocational and general education course yourself?
If you have marked "Yes" because you can afford the costs yourself or know that they will be covered by your employer or canton of residence, you have already done an important part of the preparatory work.
If you are not sure how much you will actually have to pay yourself, ask a course provider. Preferably one in your canton of residence. If there isn't one there, look in the neighboring cantons and ask all the schools for the actual costs.
And have you asked your employer whether they will support you? This support would also be important to ensure that you can actually carry out the practical parts of the training in your company. If you really have to bear the full costs yourself, you could try to find someone in your private social circle who will support your specific further education project with a loan. Otherwise, there are banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
Time spent on classroom teaching and learning (homework)
The part-time course lasts four semesters. The time required for classroom teaching is approx. 8 hours per week (there are different course models, such as evening courses or Saturday courses).
The learning effort (homework) also amounts to approx. 8 hours per week in addition to school lessons.
Question 5:
Can I cope with the effort required for the face-to-face lessons and homework? Please mark your answer. The free evaluation will appear immediately afterwards as soon as you press the "Self-test evaluation" button.
If the workload is even very manageable for you, you could check whether there are intensive courses for this training. This would allow you to complete the same training in less time if you are able to accept a slightly higher time commitment.
If you are short on time, look for courses that extend over a longer period of time and require fewer lessons and less time for homework each week. And if that's still not enough, you should check whether you can free up more time in another way. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the limited period of your training?
Conclusion
Which final exams do I have to pass?
The final apprenticeship examination, known as the QV qualification procedure, consists of three parts.
Practical examination:
- three hours of practical work in the overall field of logistics, consisting of 6 individual work assignments
- three to four hours of practical work in the warehouse or distribution or transport sector, consisting of 4 to 8 individual work assignments
Theoretical examination in vocational studies:
- Four-hour theoretical examination of professional and technical knowledge:
- Specialization paper: 8-10 weeks before the final examination, students prepare their own written paper, the "specialization paper", on a given topic. This must be presented at the final examination.
Theoretical examination general education:
- Three-hour final examination in the general education subjects of society, language and communication
The "Logistician EFZ" course serves as preparation for the theoretical parts of the final examination. The practical parts of the in-company training are not included. These skills should be acquired through at least three years of professional experience.
Question 6:
Do I have the confidence to pass the final exams?
If you are confident that you can pass this exam, we wish you every success in realizing your career plans.
If you are still a little unsure, there are two other support options you can look at:
- The professional association for logistics, SVBL, offers courses in practical vocational subjects. These are the so-called inter-company courses üK, with which you can check and supplement your practical knowledge.
- And the SVBL offers one-day LAP exam preparation courses, where you can also check your level and prepare specifically for the final exams.
Receive course or training documents from suitable schools immediately
Under Logistiker / Logistikerin (EFZ) you will find an overview of schools that offer the "Logistician EFZ" course. You can request detailed documents with just one click and usually receive them directly by e-mail. You can also use the area search to find providers in your immediate vicinity.
Conclusion:
Before you want to complete the "Logistics Specialist EFZ" course, you should be convinced that you really like a career in logistics. Or that this is a good opportunity for you to obtain a federally recognized apprenticeship qualification. You should also like the course description. If this sounds right to you, you can continue to look into this course. If you are unsure about these questions, you should consider which other further training courses are also an option for you.
If you do not meet the admission requirements because you do not have a school-leaving certificate, you should look into how you can make up for this with the help of a careers advice center. And if your German language skills are not yet at the required level, see how you can improve your German first. There are many different types of German courses, among which you are sure to find something that suits you.
Financing further education is not always easy. If you do not receive a cantonal grant, you must be able to pay several thousand francs. Many schools offer the option of individual monthly installments in individual cases, so that large amounts do not have to be paid all at once. In addition, it is helpful for part-time courses that participants continue to work during the course and thus earn money for the entire duration of the course. If this is not enough to finance the training alone, it is sometimes possible to obtain a loan from a private source. Some banks and credit institutions also offer educational loans. A good argument for financing further education is the relatively quick amortization of costs through wage increases. Do the following calculation: How much would a wage increase of 10% per year amount to? How many years do you need to recoup the costs of the course? How much more will you earn over your entire working life as a result of this pay rise? In most cases, this is a six-figure sum, which confirms that training or further education is the best personal investment there is.
The time required for training or further education should not be underestimated. Going out, vacations and spontaneous wellness weekends often fall by the wayside. However, this time usually passes relatively quickly. The prospect of better job opportunities and more pay should be motivation enough to get through this time. It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you have doubts about whether you will pass the final exam, you can expect that every school has an interest in ensuring that as many of your students as possible pass the final exams. Talk to your head teacher or course leader and ask about support options. But with good motivation, perseverance and hard work, it is generally possible to pass these exams. If you suffer from exam anxiety, good preparation, various practical tips, therapeutic treatments or, in severe cases, even medication can help. You can obtain the guide "Overcoming exam anxiety" if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch. Here you will also findsuitable providerson the subject of test anxiety.
The benefits of further training are usually measured in terms of a higher salary, more challenging tasks or promotions. This presupposes that you make an effort to change your professional position accordingly and, if necessary, are able to assert your demands. If you have already experienced that this is not always so easy for you, you could also check whether personal job coaching could be of benefit to you in addition to further training.
Now it's up to you to decide. If in doubt, seek personal advice from a school or external counseling center. If you order course or training documents from schools via the following link, you will receive a free educational or school consultation worth CHF 150.00 on request.
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We wish you all the best in your professional and private lives and a bright and exciting future!
The team of Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch
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