Most ergonomics courses are post-graduate courses. Ergonomists usually complete their initial training in fields of activity such as mechanical engineering, medicine, psychology, computer sciences, physiotherapy etc. What links all these people together is their interest in the "people work" interface.

The contents of ergonomist training courses have been internationally standardized for some years now. The different ergonomics organisations have agreed what set of core competencies an ergonomist should have. In Europe the title of European Ergonomists (Eur.Erg.) is delivered by the CREE (Centre for Registration of European Ergonomists). The minimum requirements are completed university studies or post-graduate studies in ergonomics and several years of professional experience in ergonomics. You can find more information at the CREE Homepage. The CREE certification is recognised worldwide.

If you are interested in the CREE certification please contact Thomas Stüdeli.

Find more informations and registration documents below:

Informationen zur Cree-Zertifizierung (German)

Form "Antrag zur Registrierung als Europa-Ergonom" (2011, German and French)

Form "Antrag zur Erneuerung der Registrierung als Europa-Ergonom" (2011, German and French)

In Switzerland there is only one course that fulfills all the international requirements for an ergonomics certification. This course is the post-graduate "Work and Health" course that is given jointly by the Zentrum für Organisations- und Arbeitswissenschaften (ZOA) at the Zurich ETH and by the Institut universitaire romand de Santé au Travail (IST) at the university of Lausanne. You can find further information on the MAS Homepage.

Not all the people who work in Switzerland in the field of ergonomics fulfill the criteria of the CREE certification. Nevertheless many of them possess at least in one domain of ergonomics a high degree of competency. There are several courses available that can give ergonomists specialised knowledge in another domain of their profession. Even if your aim is not to become a certified ergonomist but simply to add to your core knowledge about the subject, several possibilities are offered to you. Here is a list of some of them:

• Learning and Teaching Technologies Master studies - Human Factors, Cognitive and Organisational Ergonomics diploma thesis allowed, School of Psychology and Education, University of Geneva.
• Course in Ergonomics - Psychology Institute, University of Neuchâtel.
• Cognitive Ergonomics Course - Psychology Institute, University of Freiburg.
• Human Factors Course - Human Computer Interface Group. EPFL Lausanne
• Suva offers practice-oriented courses in work place layout.

There is often also the possibility of attending specific lectures at universities as a non-registered student. (Ergonomics courses are often delivered as part of other specialised studies like for example computer science, machine contruction, psychology, design physiotherapy etc.) Contact the universities or professional schools in your area, in order to gain more insight into the available posibilities. Some of our members studied ergonomics by means of remote studies at foreign universities. The best known training course is offered by the University of Surrey. A basic course in ergonomics called "Ergonomics for Occupational Hygienists" is offered by the same institute, and similar courses are also offered by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.