Self-test Electrical installation and safety expert course with federal diploma (HFP): Is this course suitable for me?
Test here whether a job as an expert in the field of electrical installation and electrical safety with a federal diploma suits you and whether a preparatory course for the federal higher professional examination "Electrical Installation and Safety Expert" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of electrical installation and security experts with a federal diploma look like?
Electrical installation experts and safety experts are qualified specialists for electrical installations in accordance with the Low Voltage Installation Ordinance (NIV). They usually run their own planning office or company for electrical installations, electrical safety or electrical inspection, or they have a management function in such a company. They bear both commercial and technical responsibility for all project steps from preliminary clarification, development, planning, costing, coordination and organization through to installation, final inspection and further analyses.
Electrical installation and safety experts develop and implement strategies, concepts and projects, taking into account economic and ecological aspects as well as sustainability issues. In doing so, they incorporate observations and assessments of technical and societal developments. They also take into account the (complex) interactions with related sectors such as ventilation, heating, air conditioning and sanitation and contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of tools, instruments and methods in line with requirements.
Electrical installation and safety experts are the central point of contact for their customers, which include business owners, architects, building owners and users of electrical systems, who they advise and support accordingly, for example on issues relating to energy efficiency and renewable energies.
Electrical installation and safety experts mainly work in the office. However, they often also go to their customers or to the installations and construction sites. Other important tasks include personnel development and the management and training of employees.
The most important activities of electrical installation and security experts at a glance:
- Management of installation and security companies or departments/projects
- Planning, monitoring, realization and responsibility of electrotechnical installation projects
- Preparation of safety-related expert reports, analyses, strategies and concepts
- Assessment of the optimization potential of energy generation plants
- Acquisition of new customers
- Maintaining customer relationships and looking after customers
- Development of corporate strategies including marketing, taking into account ecological, economic, sustainable and social aspects
- Recruitment, training, further training and management of employees
(Note: The distribution of tasks (weighting and frequency) may vary depending on the task profile/job profile or function and company).
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as an electrical installation and safety expert?
Great!
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.
You can find various further training opportunities in the field of electrical installations here.
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Target group and skills: Who is the Higher Professional Examination for Electrical Installation and Safety Experts with a Federal Diploma suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The "Electrical installation and safety expert" course and higher professional examination are suitable for
- for experienced professionals who want to become self-employed and run their own electrical company
- for professionals with relevant professional experience who wish to take on a managerial role
- for determined practitioners who want to prove their skills with a federal diploma and increase their career opportunities
- for interested parties with relevant professional experience who would like to expand and deepen their specialist knowledge
Electrical installation and security experts should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- analytical and conceptual skills
- quick comprehension
- networked thinking and acting
- Independent and reliable way of working
- Sense of responsibility
- Leadership and organizational skills
- Customer and service orientation
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot apply for the federal diploma directly. Take a look at our guide "Training and further education in the field of electrical engineering and electrical installations". You may come across further training courses that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the field of electrical engineering/electrical installation/electrical safety, then search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in this demanding role. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization and involve less managerial tasks.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or with experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Prerequisites for admission to the Higher Professional Examination for Electrical Installation and Safety Experts:
In order to be able to take the Advanced Specialist Examination for Electrical Installation and Safety Experts, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations, pass the examination by the date of the examination:
- Have a federal certificate for electrical project managers for installation and safety or an equivalent qualification
Or
- be the holder of a federal "Electrical Project Manager" certificate (in accordance with the regulations of 25.6.2003)
And
- Have at least 1 year of relevant professional experience after the professional examination
And
- Have the required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence
And
- The thesis was submitted by
You will find out whether you have been admitted to the higher specialist examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and instructions on how to appeal in the event of rejection.
Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the higher professional examination for electrical installation and safety experts if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without the intention of taking an examination. Admission requirements vary depending on the provider.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for electrical installation and safety experts, clarify your chances directly with the examination secretariat of the higher professional examination,the Swiss association EIT.swiss (formerly VSEI).
If you don't have enough work experience, use professional job boards to look for suitable jobs.Hereyou will find helpful information.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for electrical installation and safety experts, clarify your chances directly with the examination secretariat of the higher professional examination,the Swiss association EIT.swiss (formerly VSEI).
If you don't have enough work experience, use professional job boards to look for suitable jobs.Hereyou will find helpful information.
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the Higher Professional Examination for Electrical Installation and Safety Experts is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the Swiss Association EIT.swiss (formerly VSEI).
The course material is divided into four modules, which impart the knowledge and skills required for the higher professional examination:
- Module 1:Project management IIProject planning, realization and controlling
- Module 2:Planning and technical processing IIServices, technology and specialist advice, energy advice, safety and technical regulations
- Module 3:Installation and security expertiseMeasurements, analyses, expert opinions, safety concepts and safety documentation
- Module 4:Corporate managementGeneral corporate management, organization, accounting, marketing, public relations, supplier and customer relations, legal aspects of corporate management in SMEs
Note: Candidates with demonstrably sufficient prior knowledge (e.g. holders of a federal certificate as an electrical project manager for installation and safety or planning (formerly electrical project manager) or a federal diploma as an electrical planning expert) may be able to be exempted from individual parts of the examination. Binding information can be obtained from EIT.swiss.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire this knowledge?
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 federal diploma, take a look at other training and further education courses in the electrical sector. You may find a course that suits you better.You can find inspiration here.
If you have a federal certificate in the electrical sector, for example as an electrical project manager for installation and safety or electrical project manager for planning (Formerly Electrical Project Manager) or a federal diploma, such asElectrical planning expertand would like to know whether certain subjects of the HFP can be waived for this reason, please contact the Examination Secretariat of the Advanced Federal PET Examination, theSwiss association EIT.swiss (formerly VSEI).He can give you binding information.
Obviously the typical areas of responsibility of electrical installation and safety experts with a federal diploma 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 vary depending on the provider. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 2- to 4-semester in-service training course to become an electrical installation and safety expert:
- Course feesbetween CHF 15,500 and CHF 21,000. You will receive up to 50% of this amount back from the federal government upon application (regardless of the result).
- Examination feeCandidates pay the examination fee of currently CHF 1445 (as of March 2022) after admission has been confirmed. In addition, there is a fee of CHF 50 for the issue of the federal diploma.
- Some providers requireExtra costsfor
- Teaching aids
- Training documents
- Supervised exercise sequences
- Simulation tests
- Use of the laboratory outside lesson times
- Rental of measuring equipment etc.
Find out directly from the provider of your choice what additional costs you can expect.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance around CHF 16,945 - CHF 22,445 for the course and exam?
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 for full payment in advance.
For information on financial support from the federal government, please contactthis linkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools 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 support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools 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 support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
- Further training to become an electrical installation and safety expert has a modular structure and lasts 2 to 4 semesters.
- The course comprises between 560 and 608 lessons, which usually take place on one or two evenings per week and/or Saturday mornings.
- Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine further education with your family, career and free time in the best possible way.
- Thanks to the in-service training concept, 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.
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 well-organized 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 four 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 higher professional examination for electrical installation and safety experts is held annually if at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements (otherwise every two years). Candidates can take the examination in one of the three official languages German, French or Italian.
The federal examination consists of a total of five parts, which proceed as follows:
1)Diploma thesis
1.1)Documentation: prepared in advance, in writing
Candidates write an individual diploma thesis in which they demonstrate that they can independently develop and describe a solution concept from the field of installation and security in a practice-oriented manner and implement it immediately in the company. The dissertation must meet the requirements in terms of scope, structure and content.
1.2)Presentation and technical discussion: 80 minutes, oral
The candidates present their diploma thesis to the examiners and explain it in a technical discussion.
2.Case study (with technical discussion)60 minutes work preparation, written, 80 minutes technical discussion, oral
The candidates are each given one or more written problem cases, which they must prepare in 60 minutes. They present their solutions in the expert discussion. The experts pay particular attention to problem analysis, possible solutions, technical argumentation and networking skills.
3.Project analysis (with technical discussion)60 minutes preparation, written, 80 minutes technical discussion, oral
In this part of the examination, the candidates receive documents on one or more technical problems, which they have to work on and present and interpret in a technical discussion. The experts test the candidates' argumentation skills as well as their technical and networking skills.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates of the higher professional examination receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Certified Electrical Installation and Safety Expert".
In French: "Experte en installation et sécurité électrique diplômé / Experte en installation et sécurité électrique diplômée"
In Italian: "Esperto in installazioni e sicurezza elettriche diplomato / Esperta in installazioni e sicurezza elettriche diplomata"
In English: "Lincensed Electrical Installation and Safety Expert, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for the federal certificate?
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 important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend this course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or the sponsor of the higher professional examination, theSwiss Association EIT.swiss (formerly VSEI). Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
If you are not confident about taking the federal professional examination, you may not be left empty-handed after successfully completing the preparatory course: if you have successfully completed all modules, some schools will award you a school certificate.
Here are someGeneral success factorson 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 important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination, but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal appointment.Consultation appointmentwith a school or the sponsoring body of the higher professional examination, theSwiss Association EIT.swiss (formerly VSEI). Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask at the school of your choice whether there areSupport optionsfor you.
You should also consider whether you mightwant other supportfor example by learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
No, the course for the Federal Diploma in Electrical Installation and Safety Expert (HFP) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will 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.
Electrical installation and safety expert (HFP) is probably not the right further training 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.
That's a half-hearted result: working as an electrical installation and safety expert (HFP) doesn't 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.
Further training to become an electrical installation and safety expert (HFP) is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can 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:
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