Training to become an Automation Technician EFZ

About the job

Automation technicians build and develop controls or automation solutions for complex machines, systems or devices. They master a broad technical field, ranging from electrical controls, through mechanical and pneumatic systems, to programming the entire system. Automation technicians work in teams on automation projects, produce prototypes, commission the assembled systems and investigate possible sources of error with combinational skills and logical thinking.

The diverse tasks of the professionals also include creating technical documentation about the control systems installed in the plants. Besides assembling and commissioning the machines, occasional customer visits for maintenance or service work may be part of the daily routine. The main activities during training depend heavily on the chosen company.

Requirements

Training to become an Automation Technician EFZ requires a completed primary school education at intermediate to upper level due to the demanding specialised lessons. To meet the requirements of the vocational school, good performance in mathematics and physics is also desired.

Profile of the trainee:
Enjoyment of experimenting and tinkering, interest in electrical engineering, technical understanding, enthusiasm for automatic processes, eagerness to learn, analytical thinking skills, ability to abstract, precise working method, reliability and sense of responsibility

Training process

The practical basic training takes place in a company in the machinery, electrical and metal industry and is supplemented by participation in inter-company courses. The following graphic roughly shows the training progression.

1st year: 1, 2, 3, 2
2nd year: 4, 2, 5, 2, 6, 2, 7, 2, 8
3rd year: 9
4th year: 9, 10

Inter-company courses (ÜK) complement the education in professional practice. In the inter-company courses, trainees acquire fundamental skills and practical professional knowledge. They learn to systematically plan, execute and evaluate orders and projects. The training deepens the technical, methodological and social resources, as well as resources of occupational safety, health protection and environmental protection.

Vocational school

Vocational school lessons take place at the Commercial Vocational and Further Education Centre in St. Gallen (GBS Riethüsli).

School days:
1st and 2nd year: 2 school days per week (with and without vocational baccalaureate)
3rd and 4th year: 1 school day (without VB) or 2 days (with VB)

Talented trainees are additionally recommended to attend the vocational baccalaureate school alongside compulsory lessons. The technical vocational baccalaureate entitles, after successful completion of training, to transfer to universities of applied sciences without examination.

Subjects:
• Electrical engineering and electronics
• Automation / Robotics
• Materials and drawing technology
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Computer science
• Technical English
• General education
• Learning and work techniques
• Cross-professional projects
• Gymnastics and sports

Further education after completion of training

After completing training as an automation technician with a federal certificate of competence, numerous further education opportunities are open to automation technicians. These include, for example:
• Advanced technical college for a diploma technician HF in various specialisations (electrical engineering, automation, mechanical engineering, computer science)
• University of applied sciences / Bachelor to become an engineer FH
• Professional examination to become an automation specialist or process specialist
• Advanced professional examination to become an industrial foreman

Trial apprenticeship / Application

If you are interested in a trial apprenticeship, we look forward to your registration by email with your CV and the certificates from secondary school. Afterwards, the period for the 3-day trial apprenticeship will be arranged.

For an application, in addition to a completed trial apprenticeship, the following documents are required:
• Letter of motivation
• CV
• All secondary school certificates
• Stellwerk (copy of test)

Contact details:
robofact AG
Tim Holenstein
Bischofszellerstrasse 77
9200 Gossau
Direct: 078 750 36 02
Company: 071 388 99 20
t.holenstein@robofact.ch

Only complete dossiers can be considered.
We look forward to your application!