Self-test: Is the "Industrial foreman, continuing education, further training (AFPE)" course (new: "Production manager industry") the right course for me?

What does the day-to-day work of an industrial production manager with a federal diploma look like?

Industrial production managers (formerly industrial foremen) manage a department, production facility or other organizational unit with several employees in terms of technical and personnel matters. They are responsible for efficient production, the quality of products and services and meeting deadlines and costs. To this end, they review and optimize production processes by regularly evaluating workflows, material flows, throughput times, etc. and looking for opportunities for improvement.

They plan employees' work assignments and select suitable procedures. As supervisors, they manage their employees both professionally and in terms of personnel. And by ensuring that the necessary maintenance and servicing work is carried out, they ensure a high level of system availability.

Remember: The weighting/allocation of the individual areas of responsibility can vary greatly depending on the job profile/task profile and company.

Target group and skills: Who is the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Production Manager Industry (formerly Industrial Foreman) with a federal diploma suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for "Production Manager Industry with Federal Diploma" are suitable for

• Professionals from industrial, production or logistics companies who aspire to a higher management position
• Professionals with management experience in a manufacturing environment who would like to expand their knowledge and (management) skills
• Young professionals in industrial, production or logistics companies who would like to take on a management position in the future and would like to acquire the necessary leadership skills for this with the AFPE

Industrial Production Managers should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Analytical and interdisciplinary way of thinking
• Good communication skills
• Good foreign language skills
• Team and conflict management skills
• Cost orientation
• Proactive and customer-oriented action
• Leadership qualities
• Organizational talent
• Sense of responsibility
• Negotiating skills
• Assertiveness

Requirements for admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Production Managers in Industry:

Persons who meet the following conditions by the time of the examination date or examination registration are admitted to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Production Managers in Industry:

• Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma) or equivalent qualification and at least 4 years of relevant* professional experience after graduation, including two years in a management position**

Or

• Federal Certificate of Vocational Education and Training (VET) or equivalent qualification and at least 6 years of relevant professional experience after completing vocational education and training, including two years in a management position

Or

• Degree at continuing education and training / tertiary level and at least two years of relevant professional experience in a management function

As well as

• Has knowledge of a foreign language (second national language German, French, Italian or English)***.

*Relevant professional experience includes work in the following production areas: Production, assembly, forwarding, logistics, maintenance, surface treatment and finishing, quality assurance, customer service and other production-related areas.

**The following are considered management functions:

• The management or deputy management of a work team of at least five employees and/or vocational trainees
• Earning the following grades at recruit school: constable, sergeant, fourier, quartermaster, lieutenant, unit commander

*** The language skills must be proven with a language certificate or language diploma from a recognized certification body.

Tip: Many schools also offer pre-courses in mathematics so that you have the opportunity to refresh your knowledge before the course starts. For details, please contact the school of your choice.

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) 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 Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Production Manager Industry with a federal diploma if you do not (yet) 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.

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The preparatory courses for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Production Manager Industry (formerly Industrial Foreman) are based on the specifications of the responsible body for the federal examination, the Association for Advanced Federal Professional Examinations for Industrial Foremen (VIM).

The following topics are included in the learning material:

• Organizational design
• Production management
• Production processes
• Maintenance
• Project management
• Logistics
• Management of complex and/or parallel projects
• Finance and accounting
• HR/Personnel Management, Personnel Management
• Communication, Marketing
• Supply Chain Management
• Company and environment

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The costs vary depending on the provider (apart from the examination fee, which is set by the responsible body of the AFPE). In general, the following costs are to be expected for the 3-4-semester, part-time course to become an industrial production manager:

• Course feesBetween CHF 13,700 and CHF 15,900 Of this, you will receive around 50% back from the federal government upon application (regardless of the result) *Note: Swissmem members benefit fromreduced course fees.
• External examination feesCHF 2,100 (as of March 2023) The examination fee is set by the responsible body of this AFPE, i.e. this course. It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
• Extra costsAt some schools, the costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams, for example, are not included in the course fees. Additional costs must also be expected for any preliminary courses, such as mathematics or language courses.

Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out 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 Industrial Production Manager course (formerly Industrial Master Craftsman) is a modular course with a final examination and lasts 3-4 semesters, depending on the provider.
• The course comprises approx. 515 lessons, which are attended at different times. These time variants are determined independently by the respective schools, so there may be differences (e.g. one or two evenings per week or one evening plus half a Saturday or a full day on Saturdays).
• 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 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". 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 Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Production Manager Industry (formerly Industrial Foreman) is held once a year if at least 25 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise at least every two years. The examination can be taken in one of the three official languages German, French or Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 4 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (place and time of the examination) and the list of experts.

The Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) is made up of three parts:

1. diploma thesis (weighting 2)

Position 1: Diploma thesis (written, prepared in advance)

Candidates write a thesis on a complex issue from their own professional practice. When writing the thesis, they follow the specifications/guidelines on content, scope, form and structure set out in the guidelines.

Position 2: Presentation of the diploma thesis (oral, approx. 12 minutes)

In the presentation, the candidates report on the central content of the thesis and present the most important findings.

Position 3: Discussion on the diploma thesis (oral, 30 minutes)

In the technical discussion, the candidates answer the experts' questions about their diploma thesis and presentation. They also answer various questions on complex issues relating to the company's overall system.

2. case work (written, 240 minutes, weighting 2)

The candidates work on a given complex entrepreneurial change project using the following steps: Analysis, central question/challenge, conclusions, formulation of goals, considerations for the next steps)

3. action situations (oral (without preparation time), 20 minutes, weighting 1)

In this part of the examination, a practical and challenging work situation is described. Candidates choose a situation at random and then prepare an interview about it. Candidates conduct the interview with an examination expert who assumes the role of the claimant.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Certified Production Manager Industry".

In French: "Dirigeante de production industrielle diplômée / Dirigeant de production industrielle diplômé"

In Italian: "Dirigente di produzione industriale diplomata / Dirigente di produzione industriale diplomato"

In English (This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title): "Industrial Production Manager, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education"