A survey was conducted by the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch among those interested in training as a foreman in timber construction. The survey revealed the following triggers for a school inquiry for training as a timber construction foreman with a federal certificate:

• For 42%, a recommendation triggered the school inquiry
• For 33%, the reason for the request is that they know the school
• 25% made a request after reading an online review
• One free text response states "Because I find the days on which the training is offered the most useful."

We can answer this question thanks to the results of a survey conducted by Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch. This revealed the following findings:

• 69 % are interested in further training for timber construction foremen in order to match this with their own needs
• 19 % do this because this qualification has been requested more frequently in job advertisements
• 12 % show interest in further training in timber construction as a foreman following a recommendation
• An optional text response says "I would like to create alternatives in the building."

As a carpenter, participants in a timber construction foreman carpenter training course already have good technical knowledge and a broad basic knowledge. For this reason, the focus of the timber construction foreman (or carpenter foreman) training lies in the areas of management, organization and refined technology. The subject matter of the timber construction foreman or foreman carpenter training course includes

• Personnel management, occupational safety
• Planning the material
• Coordinating logistics
• Managing the construction site
• Sophisticated timber construction work
• Implementing quality standards

Through the timber construction foreman or foreman carpenter training course, participants expand their basic knowledge in the areas of technical calculations, statics, materials and construction. They also acquire. Timber construction foremen acquire and deepen their knowledge in the areas of correspondence, communication, marketing and IT. They know the factors of successful company management and have skills in work preparation, production and assembly.

In the timber construction foreman examination, various subjects are tested in writing over thirteen hours over two days. The federal professional examination is divided into three subject areas:

• Personnel management and occupational safety
• Preparation (work preparation, work planning, room and report)
• Execution and supervision

Those who pass the professional examination can use the title "Timber construction foreman with federal certificate". This creates foremen with good qualifications for Holzbau Schweiz.

The "Timber Construction Foreman" or "Carpenter Foreman" training serves as preparation for the Federal Professional Examination. Depending on the school and choice of course, it lasts 1 semester full-time or 1 year part-time. The practice-oriented training enables the timber construction foreman to lead a small team of up to five employees and apprentices. They are responsible for the professional and efficient execution of production and assembly work on construction sites or in the workshop. An internal final examination serves as an assessment for the course participants and as a test for the upcoming Federal Professional Examination. The timber construction foreman (carpenter foreman) training course concludes each August with a Federal Professional Examination. Those who pass this examination can use the title of timber construction foreman with Federal Diploma of Higher Education.

Personal requirements for carpenter foremen are:

• Sense of responsibility
• Leadership and social skills
• Professional skills in theory and practice
• Endurance
• Physical resilience

As a timber construction foreman, you can attend the following advanced courses:

• Courses from technical and vocational colleges, Holzbau Schweiz and the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Biel
• Higher professional examination (HFP) for master craftsman in timber construction
• Higher technical college for Dipl. Techniker/in HF Holztechnik
• University of Applied Sciences e.g. Bachelor of Science (FH) in Wood Technology (check admission requirements)

The aim of further training as a carpenter foreman or timber construction foreman is to lead a team of two to five carpenters including apprentices. As team supervisors, timber construction foremen are responsible for the professional execution of the work in accordance with the available plans. They also ensure compliance with occupational safety. After further training as a carpenter foreman, graduates continue to actively assist with workshop work, joinery and assembly. They share responsibility for the time schedule and the quality of the completed buildings. Timber construction foremen efficiently implement work plans and associated documents for project execution with the team and their own active support. They act as independent and team-oriented leaders who can spur on and motivate the team. After successfully completing further training from carpenter to foreman, you are an important link between the architects and the client. The specific activities include

• Discuss the work to be carried out in the area of renovation or new construction with the architects
• Accept the wishes of the client
• Inform customers about the feasibility of the plans
• make quick decisions when problems arise and solve minor problems immediately
• Obtain support from the timber construction foreman for major challenges
• Always ensure occupational health and safety
• ensure environmental protection, energy efficiency and the careful use of natural resources

The collective employment contract for timber construction defines the following minimum wages for 2020:

• Timber construction foreman Wage without further training and professional experience: 4,602 francs
• Foreman timber construction Wage without further training with 3 years of professional experience: 5,135 francs
• Wood construction foreman Wage without continuing education, further training with 6 years of professional experience 5,403 francs or with 10 years of professional experience 5,667 francs
• Timber construction foreman Wage with further training and without professional experience: 5,558 francs
• Timber construction foreman wage with further training and 3 years of professional experience: 6,089 francs
• Foreman timber construction Wage with continuing education, further training and 6 years of professional experience: CHF 6,358
• Carpenter foreman salary with continuing education, further training and 10 years' experience: 6,622 francs

In the CLA for timber construction, you will find all minimum wages as a timber construction foreman or carpenter foreman with or without continuing education, further training for years of experience 0 to 10. Of course, the salary also depends on the company's performance and other criteria such as working region and company size. You can calculate your individual salary with the salary calculator of the Federal Statistical Office Salarium by entering your personal key data.

The target group for the timber construction foreman training course are carpenters and specialists in the timber construction sector with an apprenticeship as a carpenter or timber construction specialist with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma) who would like to lead a team on the construction site or in the workshop and act as a competent contact person in timber construction.

Contact with employees, clients, architects and other project partners requires good manners and organizational skills. A willingness to take responsibility is also required for the timber construction foreman apprenticeship, as simple problems have to be solved independently.

If you want to work as a timber construction foreman, you work as an executive team leader between the team members and the timber construction foreman or master craftsman. This requires a love of wood as a material, building and construction, good spatial awareness and technical understanding. If you see yourself in this role, training as a timber construction foreman followed by Federal Professional Examination in timber construction is the right path for you.

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