What does the day-to-day work of logistics specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education look like?

Logistics specialists work as clerks or in lower management positions in retail, service or industrial companies as team leaders, specialist managers or department managers. There they take on tasks relating to production, procurement, distribution, disposal and warehouse logistics. Depending on the size of the company, they may be responsible for several specialist logistics areas, where they are largely responsible for operational tasks.

However, logistics specialists are also often called in for internal optimization processes, as they are considered generalists within the logistics chain process who, thanks to their theoretical and practical skills, develop logistics concepts with their superiors and implement them independently. They recognize weak points and problems in the logistics process, develop solutions and plan their implementation.

(Note: The frequency/weighting of the individual task areas may vary depending on the task profile and company).

Target group and skills: Who is the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Logistics suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the Federal Professional Examination for "Logistics Specialist" are suitable for

• Employees with relevant professional experience in the fields of logistics, freight forwarding, warehousing, waste disposal, recycling and production who wish to acquire comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of logistics processes and functions
• Ambitious professionals from the above-mentioned areas who aspire to a management position within logistics

Logistics specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Independence
• Organizational skills
• Communication skills

Requirements for admission to the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Logistics:

In order to be able to take the Federal Professional Examination for Logistics Specialists, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations, register for the examination by the examination date:

• Have a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma), another upper-secondary level qualification or an equivalent qualification and at least 3 years of professional experience in one of the logistics areas (procurement, production, warehousing, distribution, disposal).

Or

• Have a Federal VET Certificate (Federal VET Certificate) or equivalent and at least 5 years of professional experience in the above-mentioned logistics areas since obtaining it

Or

• have at least 8 years of professional experience in one of the above-mentioned logistics areas

Or

• have a Federal Diploma of Higher Education (FPE) in one of the logistics areas: Procurement, production, warehousing, distribution or disposal

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

Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Federal Professional Examination in Logistics 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 intending to take the exam (in this case, you will still receive a certificate from the school). The admission requirements vary depending on the provider.

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The learning content in the preparatory courses for the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Logistics is based on the specifications of the responsible body for the Federal Diploma of Higher Education, GS1.

The learning material for the federal examination includes the following topics:

• Basic knowledge of logistics processes
• Implement logistics processes
• Supply chain management and problem solving
• Leading employees and managing projects
• Understanding logistics processes
• Present and communicate convincingly

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The costs (apart from the external examination fee, which is determined by the responsible body) are determined by the schools and can therefore vary. In general, the following costs must be expected for the part-time continuing education, further training as a logistics specialist, which lasts 2-3 semesters depending on the provider:

• Course fees:CHF 9,700 - CHF 15,800, of which you will receive up to 50% back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result)*.
• External examination fee:The examination fee is set by the responsible body of the Federal Professional Examination and amounts to CHF 1,500 (as of March 2023). 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

Find out directly from the provider of your choice what additional costs you can expect.

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

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• The logistics specialist continuing education, further training is modular and takes 2-3 semesters, depending on the provider.
• The course comprises approx. 332 lessons, which can be attended in different time variants (day courses and evening courses) (e.g. one evening per week and Saturday or two evenings per week or Saturday all day).
• Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online events (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine continuing education, further training with family, work and leisure in the best possible way.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of continuing education, further training, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. 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". Take advantage of this opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. These are 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 Federal Professional Examination for Logistics Specialists with Federal Diploma of Higher Education takes place annually, provided that at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be taken in German, French or Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 4 weeks 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 examination is structured as follows (examination parts, type of examination and duration):

1. Process management, procurement logistics, materials management, production logistics (written, 2 hours)
2. Standards & systems, warehouse logistics, distribution logistics (written, 2 hours)
3. Disposal logistics, occupational safety (written, 2 hours)
4. Logistics overall processes and occupational safety (written, 2 hours)
5. Sub-project and team management (oral, 1 hour)

The five-part Federal Professional Examination is geared towards professional practice. Candidates are asked various knowledge and comprehension questions. These include multiple choice, single choice, matching questions, etc. Candidates must also process and describe their approach to various situations. In addition, the candidates' analytical and conceptual skills as well as their implementation skills are tested in a complex practical case.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the Federal Professional Examination receive a Federal Diploma of Higher Education and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Logistics Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education".

In French "Spécialiste en logistique avec brevet fédéral"

In Italian "Specialista in logistica con attestato professionale federale"

In English (note: only a recommendation, not a protected title) "Junior Logistician with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training"