Electronic Engineer (CFC)

Title: Electronic Engineer (CFC), OPET-certified
Option: Vocational baccalaureate

Electronic engineers develop and make electronic circuits and micro-computer software. They work with technicians and engineers to design and fulfil projects, develop software and printed boards, help with production, and measure and carry out trials. The work of electronic engineers depends on the speciality of the company that employs them, as well as the department in which they work.

Design and fulfilment – Electronic engineers read and interpret appliance and circuit assembly plans on a screen. With the help of computers, they draw diagrams, layouts and detailed plans, and they test and simulate the functions of circuits. They programme the micro-processors that steer the electronic functions of appliances.

Manufacturing and trials – Electronic engineers assemble electronic circuits and appliances; solder, wire and assemble elements for placement inside a unit; put systems into operation by carrying out measurements through repeated trials; test and monitor appliances under various conditions of use; write technical documents and create interfaces between command and measurement elements.

Operations and maintenance – Electronic engineers interpret technical documents that describe electronic systems, appliances or installations; determine connections, processes and sequence of operations; instruct staff who need to use or maintain the appliance or installation; check operations on a production chain or on the customer’s premises in order to locate and solve failures; contribute to modifying appliances and expanding facilities and maintain and prepare equipment and machines in the workshop or on the customer’s premises.

Admissions 2012
information for applicantsEnrolment 2012-2013

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of compulsory schooling with end-of-schooling certificate for the general (B or VSG) or pre-secondary section (A or VSB)
  • Passing grade on entrance exam, based on the following criteria:
    • Practical internship and personal interview (by invitation)
    • Basic-check skills test (free for the applicant invited to a personal interview; an earlier basic-check or multi-check test is accepted)
    • Grades from school

Qualifications

Electronic engineers should be interested in the sciences and technology in general. They must:

  • Adapt to new technologies
  • Have the ability to work in a team
  • Have the ability to analyse and solve problems
  • Have abstract thinking ability
  • Have a logical and methodical mind
  • Be persevering
  • Perceive colours correctly
  • Show rigour, meticulousness and precision

Organisation of the Course

In compliance with Swiss regulations, the Electronic Engineer (CFC) course comprises a basic two-year course followed by an in-depth two-year course.

In the first two years, basic and complementary operational skills are focused on:

  • Machining front panels, cases and other simple mechanical parts (b1)
  • Making and putting into operation circuits and appliances (b2)
  • Putting into operation, measuring, adjusting and adapting circuits (b3)
  • Developing simple programmes for micro-controllers (b4)
  • Developing printed circuit boards according to instructions (c2)

In the third year, the student acquires two operational skills in detail:

  • Developing printed circuit boards (a3)
  • Developing software (a6) 

In the fourth year, the programme takes a different, more professionally oriented course. This phase is organised under the aegis of ergonPRO and involves two six-month periods during which the student acquires two additional professional skills within a professional environment: one period within the ergonPRO structure, working on projects for external and internal customers; and one in-company internship (locally or abroad). During these work experiences, the student will develop in-depth operational skills depending on the company’s projects and specifications.

  • Planning and controlling projects (a1)
  • Developing prototypes (a2)
  • Developing printed circuit boards (a3)  > repeated from third year!
  • Checking feasibility (a4)
  • Establishing testing concepts and carrying out trials (a5)
  • Developing software (a6) > repeated from third year!
  • Fulfilling production orders (a7)
  • Carrying out operational and quality controls (a8)
  • Planning, making and documenting testing equipment (a9)
  • Supervising the production of micro-technical products (a10)
  • Maintaining appliances and installations (a11)
  • Planning, leading and assessing training sessions (a12)

Students who complete an internship abroad also develop language skills.

Professional Prospects

Electronic engineers can look forward to working in the machine industry, in construction of control and measurement appliances (medicine, watch-making, and vehicles), testing laboratories, telecommunication and maintenance centres, airports, hospitals, banks, etc. Job responsibilities may include workshop or company head, or installer.

Higher Education

  • Federal diploma in processes
  • Technical university diploma in electronics, telecommunications or computer science, full-time or vocational
  • Technical university diploma in operations and logistics
  • Sound technician federal diploma (vocational)
  • Bachelor and Master of Science in electrical engineering, telecommunications, IT, micro-technics, electronics and communication systems, full-time or vocational
  • Diploma as an industrial team leader or industrial foreman, full-time or vocational

Swiss certificates and diplomas

Associated Professions:

FAQ

Can I take the Electronic Engineer (CFC) course without taking the technical vocational baccalaureate course?
Yes; however, we suggest that all students start their course with the baccalaureate lessons. After the first semester, a student who passes can stop these lessons, but will still have the right to attend classes, such as German and English.

Is there any chance that I can take up this profession if I have only finished my basic secondary education?
Yes, it is possible, but in such an exceptional situation, the applicant will need to be very highly motivated and prepared to make an extra effort to develop his or her math skills!

Can I start a course in a company and join lessons midway through the ergonEMF section ?
In theory, no, because ours is a modular system.

I am interested in taking on a fourth-year student as an intern in my company.
Regardless of whether or not your company is accredited to train apprentices, that's great! Contact us to talk about it!

I have a contract to submit...
Contact us quickly to discuss your project and to assess whether it can be considered by our ergonPRO structure.

The Future of the Course

The majority of electronics students (95%) continue their education to become engineers, thus leaving the employment market very open. In French-speaking Switzerland, companies often employ people living on the other side of the border due to the lack of electronic engineers in Switzerland.
Therefore, there is a wide range of activities for newly qualified professionals.