What are my career prospects as a timber construction foreman with a federal certificate?

As a timber construction foreman with a federal certificate, you are taking the first step towards a career in timber construction. As a member of the lower management team, you will be responsible for the planning and execution of the projects assigned to you. You will lead a team of 2-5 employees and ensure compliance with all safety regulations as well as the practical training of apprentices. On the construction site, you are the link between your team and your superiors and are in contact with the customers, i.e. the clients and architects.

Until the end of 2020, the qualification "Timber Construction Foreman / Timber Construction Foreman" was acquired with an association examination; since 2021, this has been done with a federal professional examination. The qualification is well known among building and civil engineering companies and your job prospects are good, not least because wood is ecologically, socially and economically very promising for the future and professionals in timber construction are accordingly in demand - and will be even more so in the future.

What further training opportunities do I have with the specialist certificate as a timber construction foreman (BP)?

As a timber construction foreman with a federal certificate, you have various opportunities for further training.

• Technical and vocational colleges, individual universities of applied sciences and the Swiss Timber Construction Association promote lifelong learning and offer various courses for further training and specialization in timber construction.
• The next career step is a further professional examination: the "timber construction foreman / timber construction foreman with a federal certificate. This certificate requires at least 3 years of professional experience after completing the apprenticeship in a timber construction company, including 1 year in work preparation (CAD knowledge, general AVOR and customer contact). Working as a timber construction foreman offers a good starting point here. Some schools require a federal certificate as a timber construction foreman for further training as a timber construction foreman (in the examination regulations valid from 2022, the federal foreman certificate is not required).
• The highest qualification in higher vocational education and training in the field of timber construction is the Higher Professional Examination (HFP) to become a master craftsman or woman in timber construction with a federal diploma. It is open to timber construction foremen with a federal certificate who have at least 5 years of professional experience, including 2 years in a senior management position in a timber construction company.
• The following study options are available with the federal certificate "Timber Construction Foreman":
  • Higher technical college (HF): full-time or part-time study program "Dipl. Techniker/in HF Holztechnik". A shortened course of study is possible for timber construction foremen. Details and other admission requirements can be obtained directly from the HF.
  • University of Applied Sciences (FH): E.g.Bachelor of Science (FH) in Wood Technology. Different admission requirements apply depending on the UAS.

Provider of further training to become a timber construction foreman (BP)