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Construction & Trades · EFZ

Sanitary Installer EFZ

Install water and waste systems in buildings.

About this profession

Install water and waste systems in buildings. Over 3 years you learn this profession in a host company, at the vocational school and in inter-company courses. At the end you receive a nationally recognised Federal VET Diploma (EFZ).

Day-to-day responsibilities

  • ›Install and connect pipes
  • ›Connect sanitary appliances
  • ›Detect and fix leaks
  • ›Perform maintenance and repairs

Skills you'll need

Manual dexterityCare and precisionSpatial reasoningTeam player

A typical week as an apprentice

Host company

3 days/week — you learn the trade hands-on alongside experienced professionals.

Vocational school

1–2 days/week — general education plus job-specific theory.

Inter-company courses (üK)

Several blocks per year — practise core techniques together with other apprentices.

Where you'll work

Workshops, construction sites, industrial production halls — often working outdoors and on customer sites.

Entry requirements

  • Completed compulsory school (Sek A or B, depending on profession). Strong school report in relevant subjects helps.
  • A 'Schnupperlehre' (1–5 day taster) is the best way to find out if the profession suits you.

What you earn at the end

Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) — a nationally recognised qualification that opens doors to higher VET (HF), the vocational baccalaureate (BM) and universities of applied sciences.

Apprentice wage

Typical monthly gross wage (CHF). Actual wages vary by sector and region.

Year 1

CHF 700 – 900/ Mt.

Year 2

CHF 950 – 1’200/ Mt.

Year 3

CHF 1’300 – 1’700/ Mt.

Future-readiness

Score 4/5
StrongHighly future-proof
Demand trend4/5
Adaptability4/5
Automation risk2/5

Our take

Demand for sanitary installers remains stable; good adaptability ensures long-term career prospects despite technological changes, with automation posing no significant risk.

Early contract endings in this field

Across Construction & Trades apprenticeships, roughly 25–35% of contracts are ended early, compared with about 23% nationally. Most of those apprentices continue their training elsewhere.

Further education & career

  • Federal PET Diploma (BP)
  • Higher Vocational School (HF)
  • Vocational Baccalaureate + University of Applied Sciences (FH)
  • Specialization in building technology

Learn more

Official sources and further information about this profession.