Self-Assessment: Is the “Automation Technician with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education” program what I’m looking for?

What is a typical workday like for an automation technician with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education?

Automation specialists work wherever automated systems—such as production facilities, logistics systems, or building automation systems—are developed, installed, or retrofitted. They contribute to the development and planning of these systems and prepare specifications, planning documents, and resource or cost plans. Automation specialists carry out smaller projects—such as the installation and commissioning of custom equipment or the maintenance of industrial systems—independently. In large projects, automation specialists take on specific tasks such as setting up technical control systems or programming control units. As employees in manufacturing facilities, they contribute to the maintenance and quality assurance of the systems and help identify and resolve malfunctions.

The following are typical areas of work for an automation specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education:

• Installation, configuration, commissioning and testing of systems, production machines and prototypes
  • Evaluation of Components and Devices for Automation
  • Planning, monitoring, and managing automation projects, including resource and cost plans, scheduling, and collaboration with engineers
  • Commissioning Machinery and Equipment
  • Programming PLCs
  • Configure electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic drives
• Maintenance, troubleshooting, optimization, repair and maintenance work
  • Perform complex service and maintenance work
  • Troubleshoot issues across technologies
  • Functional Testing and Quality Assurance
• Setting Up Experimental Setups
• Analyzing Measurement Series
• Providing support to internal departments and employees on technical issues
   

Employment as an automation specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education is available in the following industries:

• Machinery Industry
• Electrical Industry
• Metal Industry
• Food Industry
• Chemical Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• other industries in fields such as automation, production, manufacturing, and control systems

Target Audience and Skills: Who is the "Automation Technician" Federal Professional Examination with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The Automation Technician training program is designed for professionals who have completed a technical apprenticeship and wish to pursue continuing education in automation, as well as for those looking to transition into the technical field. Ideal candidates include professionals in fields such as:

• Polymechanic
• Machine Mechanic
• Design Engineer
• Auto Mechanic
• Electrician
• Plant and Equipment Technician
• Automation Technician

The following skills and qualities are considered essential for a successful career as an automation specialist:

• Technical understanding
• Interest in electronics and complex tasks
• A passion for developing and experimenting
• An understanding of complex systems and the ability to think abstractly
• Strong organizational skills
• Goal-oriented approach and meticulous work methods
• A passion for experimentation and perseverance
• Independence
• Ability to work in a team
• Sense of responsibility and reliability
• Mathematics skills
• Leadership qualities

Requirements for admission to the Federal Professional Examination for automation specialists:

To be eligible to take the final examination (Federal Professional Examination) to become an automation specialist, the following requirements must be met at the time of the examination:

• A Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training in a technical profession or an equivalent qualification, and two years of practical experience in a field relevant to automation specialists

or

• A Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training in a non-technical occupation or an equivalent qualification, plus four years of practical experience, including three years in a field relevant to automation specialists

or

• Eight years of practical experience, including 3 years in a field relevant to automation specialists

and

• Passed preliminary exams in the subjects of electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics, electrical drive technology, control technology, measurement/control/regulation, and technical project management. These exams are part of the preparatory courses and are taken at the respective school.

Some schools require sufficient prior knowledge of electrical engineering, control systems, and the use of a PC or laptop, as well as good written and spoken German skills (C1 level). Depending on your prior knowledge, it is recommended that you take a preparatory course in electrical engineering, electronics, computer applications, or a German language course.

You will be notified in writing at least two months before the exam begins whether you meet the requirements for the Federal Professional Examination for Automation Technician—and, in the event of rejection, the notice will include the reasons for the decision and information on how to appeal.

Curriculum and content of the continuing education, further training program for automation specialists:

The curriculum for the preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination to become a Certified Automation Technician is based on the guidelines set by the responsible body of the Federal Professional Examination, theVAMAssociation for FPE Engineers in Mechanical and Equipment Engineering.

The curriculum for the Automation Technician training program covers the following topics and modules:

• Electronics
  • Building Components
  • Integrated Components
  • Circuit Design
  • Measurement technology
• Hydraulics and Pneumatics
  • Hydraulics Basics
  • Hydraulic Components
  • Hydraulic Control Systems and Circuits
  • Pneumatics Basics
  • Pneumatic Components
  • Pneumatic Control Systems and Circuits
• Electric Drive Technology
  • Basic Concepts of Drive Technology and Dynamics
  • Direct Current (DC) Motor Connected to a Power Converter
  • Induction Motor Connected to a Variable Frequency Drive
• Control Technology
  • PLC Basics
  • PLC Programming Basics
  • PLC Programming in AWL or FBS
  • PLC Programming and Sequence Control
  • PLC Programming
  • Safety Aspects of Control Systems
• Measurement, Control, Regulation
  • Basics
  • Measurement of physical quantities (sensors), actuators (drives), effectors (grippers)
  • Control Systems with Discrete Controllers, Control Systems with Continuous Controllers
  • Commissioning and Configuration of Control Systems
  • Practical Regulatory Project
• Technical Project Management
  • Basics
  • Systems Thinking
  • Problem-Solving Cycle
  • Project management

Costs and Financing of Continuing Education for Automation Specialists:

The cost varies depending on the provider and the duration of the training program to become an automation specialist. On average, you can expect the following amounts for training costs:

• Course fees:between CHF 14,800 and CHF 18,000
  After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
• Examination fees:CHF 1,200 (as of 2023)
  The examination fee is set by the responsible body for the Federal Professional Examination. It is paid by the candidate upon confirmation of admission to the Automation Specialist examination.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for items such as enrollment fees, teaching materials, course handouts, books, intensive exam preparation, practice exams, school diplomas, and interim certificates are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the Automation Technician continuing education, further training program.

*Since January 1, 2018, preparatory courses for Federal Professional Examinations—such as the training program for automation specialists—have received financial support from the federal government. Participants in these programs may therefore receive a refund of up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course fees paid after passing the federal examinations. In cases of hardship, federal subsidies may, as an exception, be provided in advance.

Duration of the program, number of class hours, and time commitment for the Automation Technician training program:

• The training and continuing education, further training program for Automation Technicians is structured in a modular format (i.e., some of the competencies are assessed in module exams prior to the Federal Professional Examination, and the final exam only tests cross-module knowledge) and lasts 4 semesters on a part-time basis. It comprises approximately 650 lessons.
• Class times vary depending on the provider of the continuing education, further training program for automation specialists. In-person classes are usually held one evening a week or on Saturdays.
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online teaching (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the part-time format of the Automation Specialist further training program, you can immediately apply and reinforce what you’ve learned in a practical setting. Nevertheless, you should set aside enough time for preparing for and reviewing lessons, as well as for self-study. We recommend setting aside at least 4 to 8 hours per week, depending on your prior knowledge, work style, and learning pace.

Note: Some schools offer so-called “trial lessons,” which provide a glimpse into the classes and the learning environment. A suitable learning environment is important on the path to successfully completing the Automation Technician program.

Degrees, Diplomas, and Titles for Automotive Technicians:

The Federal Professional Examination for "Automation Specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education" is held annually, provided that the minimum number of candidates per language meets the admission requirements; otherwise, it is held every two years:

• in German language min. 25 persons
• in French language min. 8 persons
• in Italian language min. 3 persons

Candidates for the Federal Professional Examination for Automation Technician will be notified at least 2 months before the exam begins. The notification includes the exam syllabus (with details on the location and time of the exam, as well as permitted aids) and the list of examiners.

The Federal Professional Examination for automation technicians consists of the following three parts:

• Automation in General (written, 1 hour, weighting 1)
• Engineering (written exam, 3 hours, weighting 2)
• Project Management (written, 1.5 hours, weighting 1)

Diploma and title “Automation Specialist”

Graduates of the Federal Professional Examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the protected title “Automation Specialist with a Federal Certificate” or “Automation Specialist with a Federal Certificate” and the optional additional English title “Professional Bachelor.”

• In French: “Agent en automatique avec brevet fédéral,” “Agente en automatique avec brevet fédéral,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree
• In Italian: “Specialista in automatica con attestato professionale federale,” Professional Bachelor’s Degree
• In English: “Automation Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Professional Bachelor” (Note: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)