The caretaker profession
Career description
Caretakers with a federal certificate are proven management and technical specialists. For larger or more complex work, they commission specialised external companies after consultation with their superiors and supervise the execution. They have basic administrative and legal knowledge. They are responsible for implementing ecological and safety guidelines. They are able to deal with people.
You:
are familiar with the regional and local legal foundations in the field of ecology and the environment. You are responsible for and organise the professional disposal and supply of the property entrusted to you. You will be the point of contact for tenants, users, customers, owners and management in matters relating to waste disposal and utilities, taking into account economic and ecological principles. They can explain the most important ecological relationships.
plan, coordinate and monitor the deployment of their employees or external service providers. They are responsible for training apprentices in their area and have the relevant qualifications.
are able to approach people and are the point of contact for the concerns of users, customers and tenants. They ensure compliance with the instructions of the owners or their representatives. Caretakers have a basic knowledge of the types of contracts, commercial accounting and administration that are important for their work.
operate locking and security systems, comply with occupational safety and hygiene regulations and enforce these with users.
contribute to maintaining the value of properties with their work. They are able to plan and carry out maintenance work professionally or delegate and supervise it. They carry out small jobs on buildings, machines and equipment independently and professionally. You have a basic knowledge of construction and building materials.
operate, monitor and periodically check heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, hot and cold water systems as well as electrical and sanitary facilities. They operate and monitor building management systems, locking and security systems. They plan, organise and arrange for the maintenance of technical building systems and components.
are responsible for the care and maintenance of gardens and green spaces, squares and paths as well as for the upkeep and maintenance of the relevant equipment and machinery. They comply with work and operational safety regulations.
are responsible for cleaning all materials and removing all types of soiling. They ensure hygiene and value retention. You plan and carry out cleaning in rooms with different hygiene requirements. You will implement ecological and economic guidelines. You will manage, train and supervise the company’s own cleaning staff. You monitor and control external cleaning. You will use and maintain cleaning machines and equipment in accordance with regulations.
How does the day-to-day work of caretakers with a federal diploma differ from that of caretakers?
Caretakers are contact persons for the concerns of tenants, customers or users of a property and ensure that its value is maintained. They are primarily responsible for practical tasks such as the maintenance and servicing of technical building systems and machinery, plant and building maintenance through repair work as well as minor cleaning work and gardening. They commission tradesmen and supervise the work of the cleaning staff, obtain quotations and take care of apprentice training.
In contrast, the tasks of caretakers with a federal diploma are more of a planning and organisational nature. In a managerial position in large properties, they are responsible for all maintenance, cleaning and repair work, which they delegate to their employees. To this end, they plan schedules, train their employees and apprentices and place orders with external companies and tradesmen. To ensure that a property retains its value, they also prepare building analyses as well as plant and building documentation, take over the site management for minor renovation work or conversions and monitor all activities of internal and external employees. Their tasks also include preparing payroll accounting and budgets, as well as many administrative tasks, most of which they carry out in the office. Caretakers are therefore more responsible for planning and monitoring the work, while caretakers carry out this work.
Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch: Caretaker – Guide for prospective students and students
Are you looking for a school for your training
Housekeeping school: Realise your dream job
Are you a handy all-rounder and therefore interested in a job as a caretaker? Then realise this dream by attending a caretaker school where you will be taught the necessary specialist knowledge. You can also graduate from such a caretaking school with a federally recognised diploma, increasing your chances of finding a job in this field. If you don’t know where to find a caretaking school, take a look at the portal of Ausbildung-Weiterbildung. There you will find clearly organised lists of schools for training and further education throughout Switzerland. You can see at a glance which courses, seminars or training programmes are offered there and, thanks to the portraits of the schools, get an overview of what is most likely to be suitable for you as a future caretaker. And if you still find it difficult to choose the right caretaker school, there are numerous checklists and guides to help you make the right choice.
Caretaker training
Self-test: Is the caretaker (BP) course suitable for me?
If you are not sure whether the course to become a caretaker with a federal certificate is suitable for you, it is advisable to take a self-test to find out. A few questions are enough to give you an idea of this job profile and to clarify your suitability. The main tasks of caretakers are also shown with the help of videos, as well as important key data, such as the requirements for the final examination and the chances of passing the examination. You will also receive information about the costs of further training to become a caretaker with a federal certificate and possible financing. You will also receive information about the time required for the course, so that you have all the important data you need to make an informed decision;
Frequently asked questions about caretaker (BP)
Which further training courses are useful?
After successfully passing the professional examination for caretakers, since 2008 you have had the opportunity to take the higher professional examination for caretakers (HFP). Caretakers are involved in planning and organising the maintenance of larger properties.
What are the admission criteria to become a caretaker with a federal certificate?
You must fulfil one of the following three conditions at the time of the examination:
- Certificate of proficiency (EFZ) from a three-year basic vocational training programme or an equivalent certificate and 24 months of professional experience as a caretaker
- Vocational certificate (EBA), proof of a two-year apprenticeship or proof of a one-year apprenticeship at SBB or Swiss Post and 48 months of professional experience as a caretaker
- No completed training and 60 months of professional experience as a caretaker.
The professional experience as a caretaker with a federal certificate relates to a 100% workload. Part-time positions are recognised on a percentage basis.
What skills does the training to become a caretaker with a federal certificate teach?
After successfully qualifying as a caretaker with a federal certificate, you will be able to carry out building and facility maintenance. You will have extensive knowledge of cleaning, maintenance, horticulture and professional waste disposal. You will also be familiar with the activities involved in property management.
Who is the caretaker course with a federal certificate suitable for?
Training to become a caretaker is varied and exciting. The requirements of the properties are as varied as the resulting activities. As a caretaker, you will be working in the field of tension between people, technology and properties. You will enjoy the maintenance and management of buildings and facilities and have both technical understanding and manual skills.
Further education for caretakers
What training and further education programmes can I complete at a caretaker school?
You can usually attend several different training and further education programmes at a caretaking school. On the one hand, there is the basic training to become a specialist in operational maintenance with a federal certificate of competence (EFZ). Building on this, the professional examination (BP) to become a caretaker with a federal certificate is offered, as well as the higher professional examination (HFP) to become a caretaker with a federal diploma. In addition, it is often possible to attend shorter seminars on special topics such as fire protection, plant protection, disinfection of bathing water in communal pools, mould and pests, school furniture, flower arranging, ergonomics, lawn care and much more. Universities of Applied Sciences also offer CAS, DAS and MAS postgraduate programmes in facility management and related areas.
Frequently asked questions about caretaker (HFP)
The higher professional examination for caretakers is suitable for caretakers with a federal certificate who wish to move up to a managerial position within large properties in order to take on specialist and management responsibility. Further training courses on special topics are usually accessible and suitable for all people in this field. Further information can be found in the respective course programmes.
How long does further training at a caretaking school take?
The basic training programme to become a specialist in operational maintenance with a federal certificate of competence takes three years with one day of vocational school per week. The further training programme for caretakers with a federal certificate takes four semesters (2 years). Four to five semesters must be invested in further training to become a caretaker with a federal diploma.