Organisation of the working world for basic and further training of dairy technologists in Switzerland
Schweizerischer Milchwirtschaftlicher Verein (SMV)
Gurtengasse 6, 3001 Bern (Switzerland)New on Amplifa
About the SMV
The Swiss Dairy Association (Schweizerischer Milchwirtschaftlicher Verein, SMV) was founded in 1887 to ensure quality in production and training in Swiss dairying. Since the merger of the professions of cheesemaker and dairyman into the single occupation of dairy technologist with Federal VET Certificate (Milchtechnologe/in EFZ) around the turn of the millennium, the SMV has been the organisation of the working world (OdA) responsible for basic and further training in Swiss dairying. The head office in Bern shares office premises with FROMARTE. The association accompanies the basic vocational training programmes Dairy Technologist with Federal VET Certificate (Milchtechnologe/in EFZ, 3 years) and Dairy Practitioner with Federal VET Certificate (Milchpraktiker/in EBA, 2 years), organises inter-company courses in Grangeneuve FR and Sursee LU as well as the qualification procedures, conducts the Stellwerk aptitude assessment and supports recruitment of young talent at vocational fairs and vocational competitions such as SwissSkills and RegioSkills. The sponsors of the SMV are the Professional Association of Dairy Specialists of Switzerland (BVM) and FROMARTE, the umbrella association of commercial Swiss dairies. Content and communication are offered in German, French and Italian.
- Site
- Bern
- Processes
- Cheese production (cheesemaking/Fromagerie), Dairy production (milk processing), Yogurt production, Production of milk drinks, Butter production, Ice cream production, Cream and whipping cream production, Operation of production plants and maintenance of machinery (food production)
- Materials
- Raw milk, Dairy Technologist with Federal VET Certificate (Milchtechnologe/in EFZ), Dairy Practitioner with Federal VET Certificate (Milchpraktiker/in EBA), Federal Professional Examination (Federal Diploma of Higher Education), Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Master's diploma)
- Certificates
- Organisation of the working world (OdA)
- Founded
- 1887
- Industries
- Dairy industry, Dairy processing sector, Food industry, Cheesemaking craft
- 01
Aptitude assessment (Stellwerk)
- 02
Taster apprenticeship / recruitment of young talent
- 03
Basic vocational training as Dairy Technologist with Federal VET Certificate or
- 04
Vocational school (Flawil, Sursee, Langnau, Grangeneuve)
- 05
Inter-company courses (üK)
- 06
Qualification procedures (QV/LAP)
- 07
Further training (Federal Professional Examination, Advanced Federal Diploma of
Educational offerings and fields of expertise
Dairy Technologist with Federal VET Certificate (Milchtechnologe/in EFZ)
Three-year basic vocational training in cheesemaking, dairy processing or industrial production companies, leading to the Federal VET Certificate.
Dairy Practitioner with Federal VET Certificate (Milchpraktiker/in EBA)
Two-year basic training leading to the Federal VET Certificate; a shortened EFZ apprenticeship is possible afterwards.
Federal Professional Examination (Federal Diploma of Higher Education)
Further training level for dairy industry professionals.
Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Master's diploma)
Highest level of vocational further training, among others at the specialist schools in Sursee and Grangeneuve.
Location
Bern
CHHead office
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese production (cheesemaking/Fromagerie)Food production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Dairy production (milk processing)Food production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Yogurt productionFood production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Production of milk drinksFood production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Butter productionFood production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Ice cream productionFood production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Cream and whipping cream productionFood production | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
| Operation of production plants and maintenance of machinery (food production)Assembly | – | – | – | – | Raw milk |
Additional services
Quality and Education
The SMV ensures Switzerland-wide comparable quality of basic training through the training ordinance, the training plan and skills competencies, as well as through standardised qualification procedures.
| Evidence | Bern |
|---|---|
| Organisation of the working world (OdA) |
History
- 1887
Founding of the Swiss Dairy Association (SMV) to ensure quality in production and training in dairying.
- ca. 2000
Merger of the professions of cheesemaker and dairyman into the single occupation of Dairy Technologist with Federal VET Certificate; the SMV as organisation of the working world (OdA) responsible for basic and further training.
- 2010
Introduction of the Stellwerk aptitude assessment for interested parties in German-speaking Switzerland.
- 2020
New training ordinance and training plan for Dairy Technologist with Federal VET Certificate and Dairy Practitioner with Federal VET Certificate as of apprenticeship start 2020.
- 2025
SwissSkills 2025 in Bern: the SMV organised the dairy technology skills competition with 26 participants.
- 2026
Dairy Industry Day held in Bulle for the first time; the 14th Swiss Cheese Awards 2026 in Fribourg announced.