Roofer with Federal VET Diploma

About the job

1st year of apprenticeship: CHF 1000.–

2nd year of apprenticeship: CHF 1200.–

3rd year of apprenticeship: CHF 1400.–

As a roofer, you insulate and seal roofs during new builds and renovations. This protects buildings from rain, wind, snow, and energy loss. Depending on the roof shape and type of building, you lay clay tiles or sheets made of fibre cement, metal, or natural slate.

Tasks

• Read plans and pay attention to the special features of the roofs to be covered
• Choose suitable materials for the roof shape, considering energy efficiency and appearance
• Measure roofs and calculate and order the amount of material needed
• Transport materials and store them on the construction site
• Erect scaffolding on site, assemble construction hoists and ladders, and secure the site
• Plan how the sheets will be laid on the roofs
• Install insulation according to the manufacturers’ instructions
• Connect the various layers with the underlay and allow space for chimneys, solar systems, or roof windows
• Arrange, adjust, and cut roof tiles evenly
• Lay flat or corrugated sheets on industrial buildings, connect and weld them together
• Install solar systems and prepare them for connection
• Complete work, check quality, and write reports
• Clean roofs and renovate if necessary
• Seal cracks, remove and replace damaged tiles and sheets
• Dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner
• Maintain tools and machines

Video about the profession

The video shows the daily work of a roofer with a Federal VET Diploma and provides information about tasks and requirements in this profession. From the TV series "Professional Profiles from Switzerland".

Work environment

As a roofer, you work on construction sites and are outdoors in all weather. You work high up on roofs or scaffolding and often in uncomfortable positions. You wear protective equipment including goggles, helmet, gloves, and safety shoes. There is usually more work in summer than in winter.

You work in companies in the building envelope sector or in building envelope sheet metal companies. These are mostly small and medium-sized enterprises. After several years of professional experience, you can take on responsible positions, such as leading a team or working as a building envelope master.

Requirements and interests

• Freedom from vertigo
• Manual dexterity
• Spatial imagination
• Ability to work in a team
• Physical resilience
• Resistance to temperature or weather
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Working outdoors
• Working with hands
• Being physically active
• Working with clay, stone, glass

Training

Practical training in a company in the building envelope sector

Block courses of 8 weeks per year at the Polybau Education Centre in Uzwil (SG)

Uzwil: 36 days over 3 years

3 years

Compulsory schooling completed

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

Roofer with Federal VET Diploma

Further education

Courses

Courses from the Polybau Education Centre

Additional apprenticeship

As a roofer with a Federal VET Diploma, you can usually complete a shortened apprenticeship as a waterproofing specialist with Federal VET Diploma, facade builder with Federal VET Diploma, scaffolder with Federal VET Diploma, solar installer with Federal VET Diploma, or as a specialist in sun protection and shutter technology with Federal VET Diploma.

Professional examination

Advanced federal examination

University of applied sciences

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (specialisation in building envelope).

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