What does the day-to-day work of qualified process technicians HF look like?

Process technicians HF understand and have an overview of the operational processes in a company. Depending on their specialization, they develop, observe and optimize processes and procedures in a company's operating technology or logistics. They work in industrial or technology-related companies, trading companies or logistics and service companies of all sizes. Here they take on specialist and management tasks (e.g. team management, management of departments or divisions). In smaller companies, they are often part of the management team, where they make strategic and economic decisions and are responsible for the finances and budget of their area of responsibility.

To make their decisions, process technicians HF evaluate all relevant data and information and keep a close eye on market developments. They work mainly in the areas of supply chain management, quality and project management. Depending on the size of the company, they also take on tasks in production, assembly, purchasing, sales or marketing/communication.

Process technicians HF are experts in the development, monitoring and optimization of company processes, i.e. workflows as well as material, money and information flows. They recognize interdisciplinary relationships and apply their creativity to the development and optimization of processes. In their work, they adhere to company-specific rules and standards as well as legal requirements. They also monitor technological change and weigh up which innovations would be of benefit to their own company. In this way, they play a key role in increasing competitiveness and company profits.

In their role as the linchpin of the company, process technicians HF maintain an extensive network of suppliers, customers, authorities, employees, department and division heads and the management.

Process technician HF with specialization in logistics:

Process technicians HF, who have completed their studies with a specialization in logistics (formerly technician HF business processes, specialization in logistics), are responsible for the smooth coordination and control of networks, value chains and national and international supply chains.

You are responsible for the procurement of goods, distribution, transportation, storage and management of goods as well as their environmentally friendly disposal. To this end, you will constantly exchange information with the relevant specialists, continuously monitor the market situation, analyze data and check current processes for possible optimization requirements.

Target group and skills: For whom is the HF degree course in Process Engineering HF, specializing in logistics suitable? What qualities and skills are required?

Studying at a university of applied sciences (HF) to become a "Process Technician HF" with a specialization in logistics (formerly Technician HF Corporate Processes, specialization in logistics) is suitable for

• People with a relevant EFZ* in the technical or craft sector who would like to expand their technical and business understanding of operational processes and procedures and thus increase their career opportunities.
• Persons with another EFZ or a Matura and at least 1 year of relevant professional experience who would like to take on more responsibility for the development, monitoring and optimization of supply chains or a management function and thus increase their salary opportunities.
• People with a tertiary qualification in the same or a similar field (e.g. logistics specialists (BP), business organization specialists (BP) or supply chain managers (HFP)) who wish to acquire generalist knowledge.
• Interested parties with many years of professional experience, including at least 2 years in process technology/logistics, who would like to have their knowledge certified with a federally recognized qualification and thus increase their market value.

Process technicians HF specializing in logistics should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical understanding
• Flexibility, foresight and resilience
• Independent and reliable way of working
• Sense of responsibility
• Customer and service orientation
• Winning, confident and professional demeanor
• Organizational skills
• quick comprehension, interest in learning new things
• Communication skills and foreign language skills
• Team and conflict management skills

* A list of the relevant EFZ can be found in the "Process Technology HF" framework curriculum on the website of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). You will receive the corresponding link in the answers after completing the self-test.

Requirements for admission to the HF degree course in Process Technology, specializing in Logistics (formerly HF Technician in Business Processes, specializing in Logistics)

The universities of applied sciences decide independently* on the admission procedure for the HF degree course for process technicians HF specializing in logistics (formerly HF technicians HF business processes, specializing in logistics) and set this out in their study regulations. As a rule, the following admission requirements apply:

• Secondary level II qualification (federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ)**, vocational baccalaureate, baccalaureate from a grammar school, qualification from a technical or commercial secondary school) or tertiary qualification (BP, HFP, Bachelor FH/UH, Master FH/UH, CAS, DAS, MAS)

And

• Several years of practical experience in the logistics industry or the field of application of process specialists or in a related field

Or

• At least 8 years of practical experience, of which 2 years in the field of application of the process specialists (admission "sur dossier")

And

• Aptitude assessment: Aptitude tests in German, English and mathematics. (Many schools offer specially designed preparatory and support courses, which are usually completed before the first semester).

Possible further conditions:

• A relevant practical activity of at least 50% during the course of study may be required.
• Note: At some schools, it is possible to benefit from a shortened course of study with a relevant higher vocational education qualification (BP/HFP in logistics, processes, supply chain, purchasing) and enter the 4th semester straight away.

* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.

** Direct admission is possible with a relevant EFZ. You can find a list of relevant EFZs on the SERI website (Framework curriculum "Process Technology HF"). You will receive the corresponding link in the answers after completing the self-test.

Subject matter and content of the logistics training course

The universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their study programs for prospective process technicians HF specializing in logistics (formerly technicians HF business processes, specializing in logistics). Which course content is covered and how it is structured can therefore vary from college to college.

In principle, however, all HF are based on the "Process Technology HF" framework curriculum of 10.10.2022. The sponsors of this framework curriculum are Swissmem (Association of the Swiss Mechanical, Electrical and Metal Industry), Swissmechanic (employers' association of SMEs in the mechanical, electrical and metal industry) and the representative of the training providers: the Conference of Colleges of Higher Technical Education (KHF-T). They are responsible for drawing up the framework curriculum and periodically reviewing it to ensure that it is up to date and of high quality.

As a rule, the following topics are covered in a Process Engineering HF degree course specializing in logistics:

• Process and project management
• Marketing and sales
• Law
• Business administration and economics
• Information and data management
• Finance and accounting
• Quality and environmental management (disposal and recycling)
• Change management
• Supply Chain Management / Lean Management
• Risk management
• Materials management
• Production logistics
• Warehouse and distribution logistics
• Product development and management
• Team and company management

The internationally renowned project management certificate "IPMA" at level D or C can often be completed as an optional part of the course. This is valid for 5 years, after which recertification is required.

Depending on previous education, previous educational achievements can be credited towards the Logistics HF course. The respective HF provides detailed information here.

Costs and financing of logistics training

The costs vary depending on the provider, training location and training model. In general, the following costs can be expected for the 4-6 semester HF course:

• Course feesbetween CHF 13,800-24,300 for students resident in the canton where the course is held*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are generally included in the course fees.
• Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for teaching materials, training documents or exam repetitions. Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.
• Acquisition of additional qualificationsFor additional qualifications such as the "IPMA" certificate, you must expect extra costs of around CHF 400-800 for preparation and examination.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following conditions apply in order to receive cantonal funding:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link in the test evaluation).

Duration of study, number of lessons, training model and learning effort

• Duration of study:The HF course to become a qualified process technician HF specializing in logistics (formerly HF technician in corporate processes, specializing in logistics) has a modular structure and lasts 4-6 semesters, depending on the provider and training model.
• Number of lessons:With a relevant EFZ, the course comprises 3600 learning hours. For courses without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours increases to 5,400. Learning hours include attendance time, time for independent learning, individual work, group work, events, learning assessments and qualification procedures as well as time to put what has been learned into practice and supervised work placements. How these learning hours are divided up in terms of time is decided by the respective school.
• Training models:The course is offered as a part-time or full-time course including internships.
• Teaching format:Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
• Learning effort:You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.

* At some schools, logistics specialists or purchasing specialists with a federal diploma (BP) as well as logistics managers and supply chain managers with a federal diploma (HFP) can benefit from a shortened course and start the 4th semester straight away.

Degree, diploma and title

The degree course in Process Technician HF specializing in Logistics (formerly Technician HF Corporate Processes, specializing in Logistics) concludes with a diploma examination, the grade of which is generally made up of the results of the previous semester examinations and a diploma thesis/project work.

The diploma thesis is practice-oriented; candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. They write their thesis in individual or group work on a topic relevant to process engineering/logistics. At some schools, the dissertation is written after the subject lessons in the final semester, while at others it is written during the subject lessons. At some schools, the thesis must also be presented to a group of experts and then defended in a discussion.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Certified Process Technician HF".

In French: "Technicien diplômé ES en processus / Technicienne diplômée ES en processus"

In Italian: "Tecnico dipl. SSS die processo / Tecnica dipl. SSS di processo"

In English (recommendation, but not a protected title): "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Process Engineering"

Note: Anyone who has gained two years of professional experience after completing the HF degree can also apply for the European-recognized title "EurEta Engineer".