Asphaltbauer/Asphaltbauerin

Asphalt layers (Asphaltbauer/innen) are trained in the dual system. Learning locations include the training company (usually road, bridge, and industrial construction companies): construction sites, enclosed spaces, and the vocational school (Berufsschule): classrooms. Additionally, parts of the training must be completed in inter-company training centers. Vocational school instruction is partly conducted in cross-state specialized classes. Currently, for all states, this takes place at the Berufskollegs der Bauwirtschaft Kerpen (BKBW) Berufsfachschule Bau in Kerpen (North Rhine-Westphalia). (Source: Overview of Cross-State Specialized Classes, Status: 27.03.2025)

Occupation type: Recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation. Type of training: Dual vocational training (Ausbildung) in industry (regulated by training ordinance). Training duration: 3 years. Learning locations: Training company and vocational school (Berufsschule) (dual training). What does one do in this profession? Asphalt layers prepare special asphalt mixtures, such as mastic asphalt, tailored to future loads. Depending on the area of application, they process the asphalt mixtures into, for example, sealing, protective, and surface layers or hall and workshop floors. For this, they apply these to pre-treated subsurfaces and, if necessary, also carry out drainage and sealing work as well as thermal and sound insulation measures. Their responsibilities also include the maintenance of the necessary tools, equipment, and machines. Where does one work? Asphalt layers find employment in construction industry companies, e.g., interior finishing, bridge and road construction, building and industrial construction, civil and hydraulic engineering. Workplaces: Asphalt construction.

Job title: Asphalt layer (Asphaltbauer/in). Occupation type: Recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation. Training duration: 3 years. What does one do in this profession? Asphalt layers prepare special asphalt mixtures, such as mastic asphalt, tailored to future loads. Depending on the area of application, they process the asphalt mixtures into, for example, sealing, protective, and surface layers or hall and workshop floors. For this, they apply these to pre-treated subsurfaces and, if necessary, also carry out drainage and sealing work as well as thermal and sound insulation measures. Their responsibilities also include the maintenance of the necessary tools, equipment, and machines. Where does one work? Asphalt layers find employment in construction industry companies, e.g., interior finishing, bridge and road construction, building and industrial construction, civil and hydraulic engineering. Further occupations: Occupations in interior finishing, occupations in civil engineering.

3 years

The training is conducted simultaneously in the training company and in the vocational school (Berufsschule). Vocational school instruction takes place on specific weekdays or in block form. Excerpt from the training framework plan and the framework curriculum: 1st and 2nd Training Year: Training in the company and in inter-company courses: Setting up construction sites, carrying out surveying work. Basic skills in civil and road construction. Basic skills in masonry, in the production of plaster and screed, and in laying tiles. Basic skills in reinforced concrete construction. Basic skills in timber construction, in the creation of scaffolding and lightweight walls. Working with plastics. Processing metals. Maintaining tools; setting up and maintaining equipment and machines. Sealing against ground moisture. Preparing and installing mastic asphalt. Taking material samples. Carrying out thermal and sound insulation measures in conjunction with mastic asphalt. Training in the vocational school (Berufsschule) in the learning areas: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.

No costs are incurred for carrying out the training. The training company provides the training materials required for the practical part of the training and pays the examination fees. Unless otherwise regulated, apprentices must bear the costs of learning materials for vocational school (Berufsschule) instruction and for work clothing themselves. In addition, costs may arise if training locations are far from the place of residence. Funding opportunities: In certain life situations, apprentices can receive vocational training allowance (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe). Further information: Vocational Training Allowance (BAB).

During their vocational training (Ausbildung), apprentices learn about various tools, construction equipment, and machines, and how to operate them. They learn how to construct building pits, trenches, and formwork, and what to consider when reading and preparing drawings, sketches, and laying plans. Furthermore, they understand what to pay attention to when producing mortar and concrete mixtures, reinforcements, insulations, wall plaster, and screed. They learn about the properties of different mastic asphalt mixtures and how to install them, as well as how to implement thermal and sound insulation measures in conjunction with mastic asphalt. They are taught how to maintain, set up, and operate machines for preparing, transporting, laying, and treating asphalt. They grasp the importance of sealing against seepage and surface water, waterproofing bridge structures, and closing joints with permanently plastic and permanently elastic compounds. Throughout the entire training, they acquire knowledge on topics such as rights and duties during their vocational training (Ausbildung).

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements in this profession: In the company, practical collaboration (under guidance) is expected, such as transporting building materials, pouring liquid asphalt into joints, operating hand tools, and assisting with drainage and sealing work. The environment involves exposure to weather conditions outdoors, changing construction sites, dust, and asphalt fumes. Protective clothing (e.g., helmet, gloves, safety shoes, warning vests or warning clothing) is mandatory. Working hours may partly include weekend and night work. Manual dexterity (e.g., when performing repair work), hand-eye coordination (e.g., when steering road pavers and rollers), and carefulness and prudence (e.g., when precisely sealing joint connections, when transporting hot asphalt) are important. Vocational school (Berufsschule) classes are held in block instruction.

Apprentices can complete parts of their vocational training (Ausbildung) abroad. For example, an internship abroad lasting at least 3 weeks can be undertaken in various European countries as part of the additional qualification "Europaassistent/in". A secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) is a prerequisite for this qualification. Further information on the additional qualification "Europaassistent/in" can be obtained.

The training allowance for a dual vocational training (Ausbildung) is paid by the training company and, for companies bound by collective agreements, is based on collective bargaining agreements. Apprentices must be granted an appropriate remuneration. If the training takes place in a school-based form (e.g., at a vocational school or in the 1st year of training as a vocational basic training year BGJ), no training allowance is paid. For example, in the construction industry in the new Bundesländer (excluding Berlin), monthly gross salaries are: 1st year of training: €1,122, 2nd year of training: €1,351, 3rd year of training: €1,610. In the construction industry in the old Bundesländer (excluding Berlin), monthly gross salaries are: 1st year of training: €1,122, 2nd year of training: €1,351, 3rd year of training: €1,610. In the construction industry in Berlin, monthly gross salaries are: 1st year of training: €1,122, 2nd year of training: €1,351, 3rd year of training: €1,610. Sources: Collective bargaining information from the federal government and the Bundesländer (e.g., Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, WSI-Tarifarchiv, collective bargaining archives of the Bundesländer).

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for successful vocational training (Ausbildung): Manual Arts/Technology (Werken/Technik): e.g., to use woodworking tools and process plastic pipes. Mathematics: e.g., to perform area or material calculations. Physics: e.g., knowledge of physical laws for working with different materials.

The additional qualification "Europaassistent/in" is aimed at apprentices with at least a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss). It expands the initial vocational training (Ausbildung) with intercultural competencies and offers apprentices the opportunity to improve their foreign language skills. For this, apprentices attend additional vocational school (Berufsschule) classes, e.g., in European Commercial and Economic Law, and complete a multi-week internship abroad. The responsible chamber (IHK) provides further information, e.g.: Europaassistent/in.

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of asphalt layer (Asphaltbauer/Asphaltbauerin): In the civil engineering sector, road builder (Straßenbauer/Straßenbauerin) is a similar profession. Their commonality is processing building materials such as asphalt mixtures, bitumen, sand, and gravel, and producing asphalt surfaces for road pavements. In the interior finishing sector, building sealer (Bauwerksabdichter/Bauwerksabdichterin), screed layer (Estrichleger/Estrichlegerin), and roofer (Dachdecker/Dachdeckerin) are similar professions. Their commonality is performing sealing work or installing floor coverings.

In 1984, the training regulations came into force under the Berufsbildungsgesetz (Vocational Training Act). In 2020, the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG) and Handwerksordnung (HWO) were amended, including the introduction of a minimum training allowance and the expansion of possibilities to complete training in Teilzeit (part-time). In 2024, the Berufsbildungsvalidierungs- und -digitalisierungsgesetz (Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act) came into force with adjustments to the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG) and Handwerksordnung (HWO). These include the legal anchoring of the possibility of digital mobile training and the introduction of an assessment and certification procedure (vocational validation) for individual professional competence based on a recognized training occupation, independent of a formal vocational training qualification.

Asphalt layer (Asphaltbauer/Asphaltbauerin) is a 3-year recognized Ausbildung (vocational training) profession in the industry.

Qualification title: Asphalt layer (Asphaltbauer/Asphaltbauerin).

Improve opportunities with additional qualifications: Future asphalt layers can secure a good starting position by acquiring additional qualifications during their Ausbildung (vocational training), for example, in European Commercial Law through the 'Europaassistent/in' qualification. Find suitable employment: After their Ausbildung, asphalt layers work in construction companies, particularly in interior finishing, bridge and road construction, building and industrial construction, as well as civil and hydraulic engineering. Secure employability: Continuing education (Anpassungsweiterbildung) helps to keep specialist knowledge current, up-to-date, and expanded. The range of topics extends from road construction to surveying technology. Advance professionally: Further training for advancement (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) helps to progress professionally and achieve leadership positions. It is a logical step to take the examination as a foreman (Polier/in) in civil engineering. With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (higher education entrance qualification), one can also pursue university studies.

In 2024, there were 18 new trainees. 33 percent did not have a Hauptschulabschluss (lower secondary school certificate) or possessed a Hauptschulabschluss. 17 percent had a mittlerer Bildungsabschluss (intermediate secondary school certificate) or Hochschulreife (higher education entrance qualification). Trainees in 2024 (in %): without Hauptschulabschluss* [33.0%], Hauptschulabschluss* [33.0%], mittlerer Bildungsabschluss [17.0%], Hochschulreife [17.0%]. *Depending on the Bundesland (federal state), also referred to as (Einfache) Berufsbildungsreife, Berufsreife, Erfolgreicher Abschluss der Mittelschule, Erster (allgemeinbildender) Schulabschluss. Source: The information is based on data from the Datensystem Auszubildende (DAZUBI) of the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB).

Legally, no specific prior education is required for this vocational training (Ausbildung).