Aufbereitungsmechaniker/Aufbereitungsmechanikerin Fachrichtung Braunkohle

Brown coal processing mechanics are trained in the dual system. Learning locations are the training company (usually mining operations): production halls, outdoors; vocational school (Berufsschule): classrooms. If companies cannot provide all required training content, parts of the training can be relocated to inter-company training centers.

Occupation Type: Recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation. Type of Training: Dual training (Ausbildung) in industry (regulated by training ordinance). Duration of Training: 3 years. Learning Locations: Training company and vocational school (Berufsschule) (dual training). What does one do in this profession? Brown coal processing mechanics monitor the largely automated processing of brown coal. For this, they control machines and systems in which raw coal is sieved and freed from rock that was extracted during mining. For refinement, they dry the brown coal in drying plants and process it, for example, into coal briquettes, brown coal dust, or fluidized bed brown coal. To ensure product quality, they take samples, analyze them, and document the results. They keep records of the quantities produced, store the products professionally, or load them for further transport. In addition, they maintain machines and systems, determine the causes of technical malfunctions, and ensure their resolution.

3 years

The training is carried out in parallel at the training company and the vocational school (Berufsschule). Vocational school (Berufsschule) classes take 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, if necessary, in inter-company courses: Basic skills in material processing, maintenance of tools, exploration, extraction, and conveying techniques of raw materials, processing of raw materials into end products, basics of hydraulics and pneumatics, basics of electrical engineering, measurement, control, and regulation technology, extraction, conveying, and transporting of raw materials, crushing and classifying of raw materials, sorting, mixing, and dosing of raw materials and intermediate products, maintenance of machines and systems, storage and disposal. Training in the vocational school (Berufsschule) in the learning areas: 1st Training Year: Extraction and processing technology, manufacturing and testing technology, material technology, machine and equipment.

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, trainees must bear the costs of learning materials for vocational school (Berufsschule) classes and for work clothing themselves. In addition, costs may arise if training facilities are far from the place of residence. Funding Opportunities: In certain life situations, trainees can receive vocational training allowance (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe). Further information: Vocational Training Allowance (BAB).

In the training company, trainees learn, for example: which extraction and conveying techniques for raw materials and which processing methods (dry and wet processing), machines, and systems exist; how to process materials manually and mechanically and assemble workpieces; how crushing and classifying equipment is checked and operated; how sorting, dewatering, mixing, and dosing equipment is monitored and processes are evaluated; how control and regulation technologies work; what the basics of hydraulics and pneumatics are; how electrical quantities are measured and the results evaluated; how work processes in extraction and processing plants are planned, determined, and coordinated according to safety, organizational, economic, and environmental aspects; how analyses are carried out and, for example, moisture, grain distribution, and density distribution are determined; how to operate loading equipment and implement measures.

You should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements in this profession: In the company, you will participate in practical work under guidance. This includes operating excavation vehicles and equipment, monitoring and controlling lignite processing plants, analyzing samples, and maintaining operational facilities. The environment involves weather influences when working on lignite mining dumps, and dust and noise at processing plants. You must wear protective clothing, respiratory and hearing protection, and possibly a helmet and safety glasses. Working hours may include shift work. Requirements for this profession include observational accuracy and attentiveness (e.g., when monitoring machines and plants), conscientiousness (e.g., when comparing target values with measurement results of the processing procedure), prudence (e.g., when working with bucket-wheel excavators), manual dexterity and technical understanding (e.g., in repair or maintenance work), and decision-making ability and reaction speed (e.g., in case of disruptions to processing procedures). At the Berufsschule (vocational school), classes are held one or two days per week.

Apprentices can complete parts of their Ausbildung (vocational training) abroad. This can take the form of an internship abroad, lasting at least 3 weeks, in various European countries, as part of the additional qualification 'Europaassistent/in' (Europe Assistant). A prerequisite for access to this qualification is a secondary school leaving certificate. Further information on the 'Europaassistent/in' additional qualification can be obtained from the relevant chambers.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) remuneration for a dual Ausbildung (dual vocational training) is paid by the training company and, in companies bound by collective agreements, is determined by collective bargaining agreements. Apprentices must be granted appropriate remuneration. If the Ausbildung (vocational training) takes place in a school-based form (e.g., at a Berufsfachschule (vocational school) or as a Berufsgrundbildungsjahr (basic vocational training year) in the first year of training), no Ausbildung (vocational training) remuneration is paid. Example monthly gross remuneration for lignite mining: 1st year of training: 998 €, 2nd year of training: 1,070 €, 3rd year of training: 1,144 €. Source: IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie, as of June 2025. Please note: These figures are for orientation only. No claims can be derived from them.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for successful Ausbildung (vocational training): Mathematics (e.g., to evaluate measurement data and mass flows), Physics (e.g., to understand the breaking and sinking behavior of coal), Workshop/Technology (e.g., to operate and monitor processing plants).

The additional qualification 'Europaassistent/in' (Europe Assistant) is aimed at apprentices with at least a secondary school leaving certificate. It expands the initial Ausbildung (vocational training) with intercultural competencies and offers apprentices the opportunity to improve their foreign language skills. For this, apprentices attend additional Berufsschule (vocational school) classes, e.g., in European Commercial and Economic Law, and complete a multi-week internship abroad. The relevant IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) or other competent chambers provide further information, e.g., on 'Europaassistent/in'.

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of Aufbereitungsmechaniker/in Fachrichtung Braunkohle (Processing Mechanic specializing in Lignite): In the mining sector, Aufbereitungsmechaniker/in Fachrichtung Steinkohle (Processing Mechanic specializing in Hard Coal), Bergbautechnologe/Technologin Fachrichtung Tiefbautechnik (Mining Technologist specializing in Deep Mining Technology), and Bergbautechnologe/Technologin Fachrichtung Tiefbohrtechnik (Mining Technologist specializing in Deep Drilling Technology). The commonality of these professions is operating technical facilities in raw material extraction or processing.

In 1992, a training regulation (Ausbildungsordnung) for the occupation of Preparation Mechanic in the mining industry was established, covering natural stone, refractory and ceramic raw materials, sand and gravel, and hard coal. In 2004, a new, modernized training regulation came into force, including the new specialization in lignite (Braunkohle). In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended, introducing a minimum training allowance and expanding possibilities for part-time vocational training. In 2024, the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act came into effect, legally anchoring the possibility of digital mobile training and introducing an assessment and certification procedure (Berufsvalidierung) for individual professional competence based on a recognized vocational training standard.

Preparation Mechanic specializing in Lignite is a 3-year recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation in industry. However, there are generally no training opportunities in the lignite specialization at present.

Qualification Title: Preparation Mechanic - Specialization in Lignite.

The training allowance for a dual vocational training (duale Ausbildung) is paid by the training company. For companies bound by collective agreements, the allowance is determined by collective bargaining agreements. Trainees must be granted an appropriate remuneration. The appropriateness of a training allowance for trainings starting in 2020 and later is regulated by the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) via the minimum remuneration. Example for lignite mining (monthly gross): 1st year: €998, 2nd year: €1,070, 3rd year: €1,144. Source: IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie, as of June 2025. This information is for orientation only; no claims can be derived from it.

Improving Opportunities with Additional Qualifications: Future Preparation Mechanics specializing in Lignite can secure a good starting position by acquiring additional qualifications during their vocational training (Ausbildung), for example, in European Commercial and Economic Law through the 'Europaassistent/in' qualification. Finding Suitable Employment After Training: After their vocational training, Preparation Mechanics specializing in Lignite work in lignite open-pit mining and in lignite processing plants. Ensuring Employability: Through adaptive continuing education (Anpassungsweiterbildung), one can keep professional knowledge current, up-to-date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from raw material extraction to measurement technology. Career Advancement: Upward continuing education (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) helps to advance professionally and reach leadership positions. It is a natural step to take the examination as an Industrial Master (Industriemeister) specializing in Metallurgical Technology. Career opportunities can also be enhanced with a university degree (Studium).

The training allowance for a dual vocational training (duale Ausbildung) is paid by the training company. For companies bound by collective agreements, the allowance is determined by collective bargaining agreements. Trainees must be granted an appropriate remuneration. The appropriateness of a training allowance for trainings starting in 2020 and later is regulated by the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) via the minimum remuneration. Example for lignite mining (monthly gross): 1st year: €998, 2nd year: €1,070, 3rd year: €1,144. Source: IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie, as of June 2025. This information is for orientation only; no claims can be derived from it.

Currently, no information is available.

The Ausbildungsvergütung (training allowance) for a dual Ausbildung (vocational training) is paid by the training company. For companies bound by collective agreements, it is determined by these agreements. Trainees must be granted an appropriate remuneration. For Ausbildungen starting in 2020 and later, the appropriateness of the training allowance is regulated by the Berufsbildungsgesetz (Vocational Training Act) concerning minimum remuneration. For example, in lignite mining (monthly gross): 1st year of training: 998 €, 2nd year of training: 1,070 €, 3rd year of training: 1,144 €. Source: IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie, as of June 2025. Please note: This information is for orientation only and no claims can be derived from it.

Legal regulations and recommendations for the Ausbildung (vocational training) include: Ordinance on vocational training for Aufbereitungsmechaniker/Aufbereitungsmechanikerin (Aufbereitungsmechaniker-Ausbildungsverordnung - AMAusbV) from 09.02.2004 (BGBI. I S. 160). Framework curriculum for the vocational training occupation Aufbereitungsmechaniker/Aufbereitungsmechanikerin (Resolution of the Kultusministerkonferenz, 29.04.1992).

Legally, no specific prior education is required.