Timber construction foreman: Training, continuing education, further training, schools, information and tips

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Timber construction foreman (FPE): stepping stone to a career in timber construction

Continuing education, further training as a timber construction foreman is the first career step for a Federal VET Diploma carpenter. Since 2021, this well-known qualification is no longer acquired with an association examination, but with a Federal Professional Examination. Timber construction foremen with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education can lead teams of 2-5 employees and provide practical training for apprentices. In the workshop and on the construction site, they implement the projects assigned to them, from planning to assembly, including the production of complex components and quality control. They also ensure compliance with legal safety requirements.

You can find out more about continuing education, further training, course content, costs, admission requirements, etc. in our tips, tests and information on "Timber construction foreman / timber construction foreperson (FPE)".

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Assume responsibility in the execution of timber constructions from planning to realization as a timber construction foreman

Would you like to take responsibility and lead a group of two to five craftsmen in timber construction? As a timber construction foreman, you will consult with architects and listen to the client's wishes. You know what is feasible. You assign the work to the workers on the construction site, monitor or check them and make the necessary decisions. In this way, you can guarantee that the timber construction is carried out well and in accordance with the plans. This may involve tying or erecting timber constructions, manufacturing and installing elements for timber house construction such as stairs or gates or installing ceiling, wall and façade cladding as well as floor coverings. As a timber construction foreman, you motivate your team and spur them on, but also actively help out yourself. You also ensure compliance with accident regulations on the construction site.

You can complete the training for the Federal Professional Examination as a carpenter Federal VET Diploma or carpenter Federal VET Diploma full-time or part-time. You should enjoy wood as a material as well as building and construction. Good spatial awareness, organizational skills and the ability to work in a team are important for the role of timber construction foreman. During your training, you will acquire good technical knowledge and a broad basic knowledge. You will acquire knowledge in company organization and deal with preparation, production and assembly. During and after your apprenticeship, you will gain experience and be able to apply this to new projects. If you would like to take on this executive role in timber construction, you will find suitable training courses to become a timber construction foreman here.

Questions and answers

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)

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."

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."

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.

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 interpersonal skills and organizational talent. A willingness to take responsibility is also required for the timber construction foreman apprenticeship, as simple problems have to be solved independently. Anyone wishing to work as a timber construction foreman works 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.

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.

Personal requirements for carpenter foremen are:

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

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

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.

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.

Tips, tests and information on "Timber construction foreman (FPE)"

How well known is the qualification "Timber Construction Foreman / Timber Construction Foreman (FPE)" among potential employers?
» Awareness and image
What salary can I expect after completing continuing education, further training?
» Wage information, wage calculator
What will I learn in the preparatory courses? What can I do as a timber construction foreman (FPE)?
» Skills and competencies
What opportunities does the degree open up for me?
» Prospects and further training opportunities
How long does the continuing education, further training take, how does it work and how much does it cost?
» Duration, procedure and costs
Will I be admitted to the course and exam? Will I graduate?
» Self-test timber construction foreman / timber construction foreperson (FPE)
What are the advantages of this continuing education, further training?
» 10 Advantages of timber construction foreman training
What experiences have participants in the timber construction foreman training program had?
» Field report Christian Früh
What is required in the job of timber construction foreman? How are the activities divided up?
» Information from job advertisements
What experiences have previous course participants had with training to become a timber construction foreman?
» Evaluation of training / experience

Infographic "Timber construction training and further education"

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Do you know your options for training or further education in the field of timber construction? We will show you where you stand in the Swiss education system and what higher levels and qualifications are available.

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Redaktionelle Leitung:

Stefan Schmidlin, Bildungsberatung, Content-Team Modula AG

Quellen

Website des Schweizerischen Sekretariats für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI , Website www.berufsberatung.ch (offizielles schweizerisches Informationsportal der Studien-, Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung) sowie Websites und anderweitige Informationen der Berufsverbände und Bildungsanbieter.

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