24-year-old Thomas works as a Federal VET Diploma design engineer at a large energy technology company in Kriens. Together with engineers, he implements product ideas for energy supply. Thomas designs individual parts and assemblies for appliances and production systems. Together with other specialists, he discusses ways of meeting customer requirements, taking into account technical requirements and standards. Thomas first sketches the designs by hand. Later, he creates three-dimensional construction drawings of the selected design on the computer using the CAD program based on the necessary calculations. In doing so, Thomas adheres to the specification sheet, which contains the most important information on functions, production, quality and costs. Once the prototype meets the desired requirements, he creates the final drawings, the technical documents with the production data and the parts lists. In his work, Thomas impresses with his systematic, solution-oriented thinking and great sense of responsibility. He would like to deepen his knowledge of energy and environmental technology through continuing education, further training. He is therefore studying to become an energy and environmental technician CHE (formerly an energy and environment technician CHE). The federally recognized diploma qualifies Thomas to supervise the construction or renovation of technical systems or plants for the use of renewable forms of energy. He is responsible for the planning, commissioning and resource-efficient operation of such projects. He focuses on energy efficiency, sustainable processes and environmental protection. He harnesses sustainable energy sources, analyzes energy balances and measures energy data. With these findings, the systems can be further optimized. After completing the College of Higher Education, Thomas can lead his own team. As an energy and environment technician CHE (now: energy and environmental technician CHE), he has gained numerous opportunities for further development, for example through a Bachelor's degree course at the University of Applied Sciences. Thomas was also able to increase his earnings with his CHE continuing education, further training.

Financial benefits of continuing education, further training for energy and environment technicians

As an Energy and Environment Technician (now: Energy and Environment Technician CHE), Thomas will receive CHF 1,685 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 743,000 more at his disposal by the time he retires than if he had not completed this continuing education, further training at the College of Higher Education.

As this theoretical calculation "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE" does not take into account any further salary increases, promotions or interest on savings, the salary can still increase significantly.

Calculation in detail "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE"

Continuing education, further training as an energy and environmental technician CHE (formerly energy and environment technician CHE):

• 36 months, part-time
• Tuition fees, documents, examination fees: CHF 23'590
• Diploma examination: CHF 1'500
• Total training costs: CHF 25'090

Wage difference and yield calculation "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE":

• Difference in salary between the position of Federal VET Diploma design engineer and the position of energy and environment technician: CHF 8,287 - CHF 6,602 = CHF 1,685 per month and CHF 20,220 per year (12 x CHF 1,685 = CHF 20,220)
• He recoups the total training costs of CHF 25,090 in a good 20 months with his higher salary as an energy and environment technician (CHF 25,090 / CHF 1,685 per month = 20.1 months)
• In the remaining 38 years until his retirement (27 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 768,360 (38 x CHF 20,220 = CHF 768,360)
• If the training costs are deducted from this additional income, an additional sum of around CHF 743,000 remains at its disposal(CHF 768'360 - CHF 25'090 = CHF 743'270)

Sources "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE":

• The training costs correspond to an average of the "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE" courses offered in German-speaking Switzerland.
• The "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE" salaries were calculated in the federal salary calculator www.salarium.ch with the following settings:
• Calculations as a design engineer Federal VET Diplomabefore the College of Higher Education "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE":
  • Region: Central Switzerland
  • Sector: 35 Energy supply
  • Occupational group: 31 Engineering and similar specialists
  • Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: Completed vocational training
  • Age: 24 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: 50 and more employees
  • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
  • Special payments: no
  • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
  • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 6'602
• Calculationsafter the CHE degree in "Energy Technology and Environmental Technology CHE":
  • Region: Central Switzerland
  • Sector: 35 Energy supply
  • Occupational group: 31 Engineering and comparable specialists (incl. "Energy technology and environmental technology CHE")
  • Position in the company: Level 3+4 Lower management
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: College of Higher Education
  • Age: 27 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: 50 and more employees
  • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
  • Special payments: no
  • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
  • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 8'287

(All figures as at November 2022)

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