Your apprenticeship as polytechnician (EFZ).
As a polytechnician, you can manufacture plastic and metal parts – from a tiny watch screw to a metre-long turbine wheel.
What does the everyday work of a polytechnician involve? They create plastic and metal parts of all shapes and sizes using state-of-the-art drilling, turning, milling and other tooling machines, most of which are controlled via computer. They specify work cycles, create programs, set up machines and monitor and optimise the manufacturing processes. They also assemble devices, machines and systems and carry out the necessary setting and inspection work, together with localising and rectifying malfunctions. Working together with other specialists, they look for design solutions, create prototypes and put them to the test. As the manufactured parts usually have to be of the highest precision, this job is particularly suited to those with a very organised and focused work ethic.
In terms of academic requirements for this technical apprenticeship, the training is carried out on two academic levels (level G for basic requirements and level E for additional requirements). Those taking part at level G need to have passed their intermediate vocational school exam, while level E requires the higher vocational school exam. Good grades in mathematics and physics are required for both levels.
As for your personal qualities, a passion for physics is essential, as is an interest in working with machines and metalworking. You want to explore technical contexts, and you have good spatial perception of potential designs. You work precisely and carefully, can be counted on, and you have a lot of patience and good craftsmanship skills.
Basic vocational training lasts four years – two years of basic training at our in-house apprentice workshop ending with the interim examination, followed by two years of specialisation and additional training in various production departments and in the apprentice workshop. Industry courses take place at the Swissmechanic training centre in Münchenbuchsee. Those who successfully complete their apprenticeship are awarded the IPA certificate (Individuelle Praktische Arbeit). After this, you can strike out on your chosen career path – for example, as an automation engineer or process engineer – and can climb the career ladder to become a group, department, operations or executive manager. One final thing – those taking part in “Aircraft maintenance” specialist training can take the vocational exam as aviation technician at the age of 21.
