Building automation technician HF: What does your day-to-day work look like?

Certified building automation technicians HF plan, design, install and operate automation systems in and on buildings. This includes electrical installation, building technology and system technology (IT, communication and network technologies). Building automation technicians HF ensure that these are seamlessly interconnected. The aim of building automation is to minimize energy consumption in buildings, i.e. CO2 emissions, and to provide sustainable solutions for energy efficiency. Networked infrastructures make it possible, for example, to integrate surplus energy from photovoltaic systems on the roof into other systems or installations, such as the battery storage in the heating system.

Building automation technicians HF (formerly technicians HF building technology, specializing in building automation) are often found in ICT, system technology, telecommunications, electrical installation, building technology or IT companies. Here they take on project, team and/or department management functions. However, they can also work independently as a specialist in an advisory capacity.

They are involved in many development stages of building automation projects. For example, they draw up a concept tailored to the needs of the customer. To do this, they draw up a complete overview of the installations and systems in the building and calculate the resources required (materials, specialists, costs, etc.). Once the offer has been approved, the next step is to organize and coordinate the work of all the people involved. During implementation, building automation technicians HF are on site, instruct and advise the specialists, clients and suppliers, monitor and control the work and ensure that the precautions and measures for occupational safety are adhered to. Finally, they accept the work and hand it over to the customer.

When operating and maintaining building automation systems, qualified building automation technicians HF carry out tests and measurements to check the quality and efficiency of the systems. In the event of faults and errors, they determine the source of the fault, take measures to rectify it and initiate these measures.

If optimizations are possible or necessary, for example because adjustments to the currently applicable guidelines and standards are required, they determine the changes and initiate them. They are also responsible for organizing and coordinating the fitters and tradespeople.

Target group, personal characteristics and skills: Who is the HF degree program for building automation technicians HF suitable for?

Do you have an affinity for technology and are you also a skilled craftsman? Are you interested in technical and digital developments in the field of energy efficiency? Are energy, environmental and climate issues close to your heart? Would you like to do something meaningful with your work and contribute to efficient and sustainable energy use thanks to holistic automation solutions for buildings? Then perhaps you belong to the target group of this degree course at a university of applied sciences.

The Building Automation Technician HF course is aimed at professionals from the engineering, ICT and construction sectors who are interested in a sound, practice-oriented generalist course with good career prospects.

Building automation technicians HF (formerly technicians HF building technology, specializing in building automation) should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical understanding
• Structural engineering knowledge
• Quick comprehension
• Sense of responsibility
• Reliability
• Organizational talent
• Practical/handicraft skills
• Systematic and solution-oriented thinking
• Leadership skills and assertiveness
• Communication skills
• Team player

Requirements for admission to building automation training at a university of applied sciences with the study objective of building automation technician HF / building automation technician HF

In order to be admitted to further training in building automation at a university of applied sciences, the following admission requirements apply:

• Be in possession of a relevant federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) in the field of training* (for example: automation technician EFZ, electrical planner EFZ, IT technician EFZ, physics laboratory technician EFZ, telematics technician EFZ)

Or

• Be in possession of another EFZ or another upper secondary level qualification (high school diploma, technical secondary school certificate) or another equivalent qualification and have at least one year of relevant professional experience in the field of building automation.

And

• For in-service training, employment of at least 50% in an area corresponding to the course of study **.

Note: The admission requirements for the HF course in building automation (formerly HF building technology technician, specializing in building automation) may vary slightly from school to school. You can find out why this is the case further down in the text.

* You can find a list of the relevant EFZs with which you can be admitted to the building automation course at a higher technical college (HF) without an examination in the "Building automation" framework curriculum. Onfollowing pageyou will find the framework curriculum and the PDF for downloading.

** In a full-time degree course, work experience or the transfer from specialist training to practice is regulated via internships integrated into the course.

*** The universities of applied sciences (HF) decide independently on the admission procedure. There may therefore be differences between the providers. The admission procedure is set out in the study regulations of the respective HF. It must comply with the relevant legal requirements. More information on this can be found in the answers.

Subject matter and content of the training

The following topics are frequently taught in the building automation training course for building automation technicians HF (formerly technician HF building technology, specializing in building automation):

• Building technology
• Building automation
• Computer science
• Electrical engineering
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Maintenance
• Occupational safety
• Data protection
• Business Administration (BWL)
• Finance and accounting
• Project management
• Process management
• Quality management
• Leadership / Corporate management
• English

Important information about the learning content:

• The learning content of the building automation training course is generally based on the "Building automation" framework curriculum. The framework curriculum sets out the basic points for the course (including the competencies to be achieved). It is backed by a sponsoring body that is responsible for drawing up the framework curriculum and also periodically checks it for up-to-dateness and quality*.
• However, despite the framework curriculum, the universities of applied sciences (HF) have a certain amount of leeway when designing their training courses for building automation technicians HF. The specific learning content and specializations** covered and how the topics are structured and deepened can therefore vary from college to college. The names of the course content may also vary from school to school.

The building automation course teaches the following skills:

• General competenciesDesigning and taking responsibility for company and management processes, adapting communication to the situation and making it effective, reflecting on and promoting personal development.
• Occupation-specific skillsTarget-oriented use of development methods for problem solving and innovation development, planning, management, execution and evaluation of building automation projects, conception, planning and execution of building automation systems, realization of technical solutions, commissioning and maintenance of building automation systems.

* The sponsorship of the framework curriculum is made up of the organization of the world of work (OdA):asut,EIT.swiss,ICT Vocational Training Switzerland,suissetecandSwissmemand the representative of the training providers: the Conference of Higher Technical Colleges KHF-T.

** Within the framework of a maximum of 10% of the total learning hours, the schools can set content priorities or specializations. The specializations or the corresponding additional competencies must be described in the school curriculum. The protected title "qualified building automation technician HF" remains unchanged.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs for an HF course to become a building automation technician HF can vary. In addition to the school, they also depend on the training location and the training model/format.

In general, the following costs must be expected for the two to three-year building automation training course:

• Tuition fees:Between CHF 19,500 and CHF 29,100, which usually includes the costs for the examinations and the diploma thesis. Please note: The amount of the semester fee depends on the school and your canton of residence. The fees stated here apply to students resident in the canton in which they are studying. Students from other cantons must expect to pay higher tuition fees. You can find out more about this further down in the text*.
• Fees for additional certificates:At some schools, it is possible to obtain additional certificates, such as language certificates or certificates in the field of project management (e.g. the IPMA certificates, more on this in the answers). These fees are usually not included in the tuition fees and are charged additionally.
• Other extra costsSome schools may charge additional fees for various services related to the building automation course. For example, for enrolment and the student ID card, for preliminary courses, teaching materials, training documents, special software, licenses and exam repetitions (this is not an exhaustive list). Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.

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

• 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 to the list in the answer texts).

The cantonal subsidies are usually regulated by the school; these subsidies are usually already included in the tuition fees stated by the schools.

Duration of study, number of learning hours, forms of learning, teaching times, teaching format and learning effort

• Duration of studyTraining to become a building automation technician HF takes between four semesters (part-time with at least 50% employment) and six semesters (full-time with integrated internships).
• Number of learning hours:The number of learning hours depends on whether you have a relevant Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or another qualification. With a relevant EFZ, the course comprises at least 3600 learning hours. For courses without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours generally increases to 5400 learning hours.
• Forms of learningThe learning hours are divided into different educational components. They are as follows:
  • School education components:
    • Contact studies: Analog and digital supervision of students/learning groups by a teacher, e.g. traditional classroom teaching, supervised group work, supervised laboratory work, etc.
    • Guided self-study: Assigned learning tasks that must be completed within a given time frame. For example: Exercises, reading assignments, research assignments, laboratory tasks, etc.
    • Individual self-study: for example: preparation and follow-up of lessons, general study time, exam preparation.
    • Qualification procedure: Summative learning success assessments and examinations. For example: semester examinations, interim examinations, graded term papers, diploma thesis.
  • Practical educational components:
    • Practice: relevant professional activity of at least 50% (part-time studies)
    • Internships: Professional activity, accompanied by specialists (full-time training)
• Lesson timesPart-time training to become a building automation technician HF is offered at different times, as the schools set their own timetables. Classes often take place once a week on a full working day or on two evenings per week or on individual half-days. Lessons may also take place on Saturdays. In full-time studies, lessons usually take place every day.
• Teaching format:Many schools now offer a variety of teaching methods. In addition to traditional face-to-face teaching, most also offer online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning. You therefore have the option of choosing the format that allows you to combine your building automation training with your family, career and free time in the best possible way.
  Have you lost track of the different types of lessons? Go tofollowing pageyou will find a helpful overview showing you the differences and the advantages and disadvantages of the individual teaching methods.
• 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.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial 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. Take advantage of this opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

During your studies to become a building automation technician HF, you will have to achieve various qualifications, for example in the form of semester or intermediate examinations or graded semester or project work. The grades you achieve will also be included in your final grades.

If you have completed all the qualifications during your training in building automation, you will be admitted to the final qualification procedure. The final qualification procedure usually consists of a practical diploma thesis. Here are some important points:

• The thesis must be written on a topic from the subject area and have a practical or economic benefit.
• Candidates write their thesis individually and usually at the end of their training in building automation.
  The time window in which the thesis is to be written is determined by the respective HF in its study regulations.
• The thesis is presented to a panel of experts (a group of specialists) and then defended by the candidates in an expert discussion.

The details of the implementation of the (final) qualification procedure are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Dipl. Gebäudeautomatiker HF / dipl. Gebäudeautomatikerin HF". (formerly HF Building Technology Technician, specializing in building automation)

• In French: "Automaticien du bâtiment diplômé ES / Automaticienne du bâtiment diplômée ES"
• In Italian: "Operatore in automazione degli edifici dipl. SSS / Operatrice in automazione degli edifici dipl. SSS"
• The recommended translation in English is: "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Building Automation". This is not a protected