Tinsmith EFZ

About the job

1st year of apprenticeship: CHF 850.–

2nd year of apprenticeship: CHF 1200.–

3rd year of apprenticeship: CHF 1400.–

4th year of apprenticeship: CHF 1600.–

As a tinsmith, you protect roofs and façades from rain, snow, hail, wind and sun. You manufacture components such as pipes and window frames. You attach special claddings to the exterior walls of buildings. Your work contributes to the energy efficiency of buildings.

Tasks

• Review plans and take measurements on site
• Create drawings of components for flat and pitched roofs using digital tools
• Advise customers and recommend suitable façade claddings
• Calculate and order the quantity of required materials
• Organise transport and storage of materials and ensure safety on the construction site, for example through scaffolding or signs
• Plan individual steps of manufacturing and assembly
• Manufacture wooden and metal structures needed to attach components
• Transfer exact measurements for drainage or ventilation pipes onto the sheet metal
• Cut sheets with electric shears, saws or CNC machines while adhering to safety regulations
• Bend, edge and press sheets, join parts, for example by screwing, riveting and welding
• Produce decorative elements to measure
• Lay sealing layers on façades and roofs and install claddings and coverings
• Install prefabricated elements such as roof windows, light wells, terrace drainage, snow guards or safety systems
• Attach, connect and install pipes and chimneys
• Install lightning protection and solar systems according to supplier instructions and have them connected by electrical specialists
• Carry out final inspections and write reports
• Perform repair work, seal cracks
• Dismantle materials and dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner
• Maintain tools and machines

Video about the profession

The film shows the daily work of a first-year apprentice tinsmith EFZ and provides information about tasks and requirements in this profession. From the TV series "Professional Profiles from Switzerland".

Work environment

As a tinsmith, you work in workshops and on construction sites. On the construction site, you work outdoors in all weather. You wear protective equipment including a helmet, goggles and safety shoes. Your working hours are regular, but there are intense phases with a lot of work to meet deadlines.

You work in tinsmith workshops, tinsmith-plumbing companies or tinsmith-roofing companies, mostly in small or medium-sized enterprises. With increasing experience, you can take on responsible positions and, for example, become a team leader or site manager. You can also specialise in customer advice or take on project management roles.

Requirements and interests

• Manual dexterity
• Fearlessness of heights
• Ability to work in a team
• Spatial imagination
• High noise tolerance
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Physical resilience
• Technical understanding
• Working with metal
• Working with hands
• Being physically active

Training

Practical training in a tinsmith company: 4 days per week

1 day per week at cantonal vocational schools

In several cantons: 51 days over 4 years

4 years

Compulsory schooling completed

With very good school performance, apprentices can additionally attend the vocational baccalaureate school.

Tinsmith EFZ

Further education

Courses

Offers from the suissetec association

Additional apprenticeship

As a tinsmith EFZ, you can undertake a shortened apprenticeship in the field of building technology, for example as a ventilation system builder EFZ, sanitary installer EFZ or solar installer EFZ.

Professional examination

Advanced federal diploma

• Master tinsmith HFP

Advanced technical college

University of applied sciences

• Bachelor of Science in Building Technology/Energy

Different admission requirements apply depending on the university of applied sciences.