What does the day-to-day work of process specialists with a federal certificate look like?

Process specialists are specialists in operational processes. They work in work preparation, production, logistics or business organization. They can be deployed wherever operational processes are used for the procurement, production, development or maintenance of products.

They look for opportunities to improve existing processes and define new ones so that existing resources can be used optimally and operational tasks can be performed as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. To this end, they systematically collect data on material and information flows, create productivity, cost or material consumption calculations and use these to develop proposals for change.

Remember: The distribution/weighting/frequency of tasks can vary depending on the job profile and function as well as the company (size, sector, etc.). 

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for process specialists with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the professional examination for "Process Specialist" are suitable for the following target group:

• Professionals with a technical or skilled trade and at least 2 years of professional experience in industrial production who would like to take on management tasks in the future
• Professionals with several years of professional experience, including at least 2 years in industrial production, who wish to expand their business management and organizational knowledge and obtain a federal certificate of proficiency
• Professionals with several years of professional experience in industrial production who want to expand their skills and knowledge and thus increase their career opportunities
• Employees in process design who want to take on more responsible tasks and thus also increase their salary opportunities

Process specialists (BP) should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• High quality awareness and a healthy assertiveness
• Independent, communicative and results-oriented personality with a good eye for what is feasible
• High affinity for numbers and data

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for process specialists:

In order to be able to take the professional examination for process specialists, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations, register for the examination by the examination date:

• Have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent qualification and six years of professional experience (including apprenticeship), two years of which must be in industrial production

Or

• Be in possession of a federal vocational certificate (EBA) or equivalent qualification and have eight years of professional experience, of which two years in industrial production

Or

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent qualification and five years of professional experience, two of which must be in industrial production

And

• Have the required module qualifications* or certificates of equivalence

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons in the event of a negative decision.

Note:

- Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for process specialists if you do not meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without the intention of taking an examination. Admission requirements vary depending on the provider.
- Many schools offer preparatory courses to brush up on math skills. These courses can be attended voluntarily. For details, please contact the school of your choice directly.

*The following module qualifications are required for admission to the professional examination:

Module A: Planning new processes

Module B: Introducing new processes

Module C: Controlling processes

Module D: Optimizing existing processes

Module E: Communicating with internal functionaries

Subject matter and content of the training

The learning content taught in the preparatory courses for the professional examination for process specialists is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the Association for Professional Examinations for Process Specialists in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Industry.

The course material is made up of the following modules/topics:

• Module A:Planning new processes (recording process requirements, checking the technical feasibility of new products, developing process concepts, evaluating alternative concepts, formulating target process conditions, recognizing potential sources of error, defining work processes)
• Module B:Introducing new processes (implementing process concepts, setting up workstations, creating technical documents, preparing training courses, reviewing new processes)
• Module C:Managing processes (creating orders, planning resources, monitoring orders, dealing with disruptions in the planned process)
• Module D:Optimizing existing processes (documenting the current status of processes, evaluating processes, carrying out calculations, processing product changes, checking process times, optimizing the process environment, adapting production master data)
• Module E:Communicating with internal functionaries (presenting process concepts to decision-makers, conducting training courses, communicating with employees in production development and sales, instructing employees)

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 3- to 4-semester in-service training course to become a process specialist:

• Course fees: Between CHF 10,800 and CHF 20,000, of which up to 50% will be reimbursed by the federal government upon application after the examination (regardless of the result)*.
• External examination fee: CHF 1,100 (as of March 2023). The amount of the examination fee is determined by the organizing body of this professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
• Some providers charge extra for
  • Enrollment
  • Teaching materials and (software) licenses
  • Training documents
  • Internal examinations and examination training
  • Simulation test

It is best to contact the provider of your choice directly regarding the possible extra costs.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• The Process Specialist course has a modular structure and lasts 3-4 semesters (depending on the provider)
• The course comprises between 280 and 650 lessons, which can be attended in different time variants (day and/or evening courses): for example, one evening per week and Saturday all day or two evenings per week or on a weekday from midday (1 p.m.) to evening (9 p.m.).
• Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine further education with your family, career and free time in the best possible way.
• Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

The professional examination for process specialists with a federal certificate can be taken in German, French or Italian. It is held annually if at least 25 candidates meet the admission requirements for the examination in German, otherwise every two years. (in French at least 8 candidates and in Italian at least 3 candidates)

Candidates are notified at least 60 days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The federal professional examination is divided into two parts:

1) Case Study 1 (written, 3.5 hours) and Mini Cases 1 (written, 1.5 hours)

For the case study, candidates are given a realistic case which they must complete in writing. In the first part of the case study, the competencies* from areas A, B and E are tested. In the mini cases, candidates have to work on several realistic cases. Here, the competencies from areas A and B are tested.

2) Case Study 2 (written, 3.5 hours) and Mini Cases 2 (written, 1.5 hours)

In the case study 2, the candidates are tested on the practical skills from areas C, D and E in the realistic case they have to work on. In the Mini Cases 2, the competencies from areas C and D are tested in several realistic cases, which the candidates must complete in writing.

Note: In all parts of the examination, the tasks to be solved refer to examples from production.

The competencies are described in detail in the guidelines. You will find the link to this in the answers.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Process specialist with a federal certificate".

In French: "Agente de processus avec brevet fédéral / Agent de processus avec brevet fédéral"

In Italian: "Specialista aziendale in processi con attestato professionale federale"

In English (note: only a recommendation, not a protected title): "Process Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education"