Automatenfachmann/Automatenfachfrau Fachrichtung Automatendienstleistung

Automation specialists in the field of automation services are trained in the dual system. Learning locations include: Training company (usually companies in the automation industry or automation operators): offices, workshop, sales rooms, automation locations. Vocational school (Berufsschule): classrooms. Note: Vocational school instruction is partly conducted in cross-state specialized classes, currently: for the federal states (Bundesländer) of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Saarland, Sachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thüringen at the Berufskolleg Lübbecke in Lübbecke (Nordrhein-Westfalen). Source: Overview of cross-state specialized classes (Status: 27.03.2025).

Occupation type: Recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation. Type of training: Dual training in industry and trade (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? Automation specialists in the field of automation services, for example, install catering, ticket, banking, or entertainment machines at a suitable location, put the machines into operation, and adjust the machine settings to the customer's needs. They take on tasks in customer service and marketing, create staff deployment plans, organize repairs, and carry out maintenance work. In the management of the machines, they check and replenish, for example, the stock of goods and change, make cash collections, and prepare statements. Where does one work? Employers: Automation specialists in the field of automation services find employment in companies in the automation industry (e.g., installation companies and specialist wholesalers for merchandise, beverage, catering, or entertainment machines).

Job title: Automation specialist (male/female) in the field of automation services. What does one do in this profession? Automation specialists in the field of automation services, for example, install catering, ticket, banking, or entertainment machines at a suitable location, put the machines into operation, and adjust the machine settings to the customer's needs. They take on tasks in customer service and marketing, create staff deployment plans, organize repairs, and carry out maintenance work. In the management of the machines, they check and replenish, for example, the stock of goods and change, make cash collections, and prepare statements. Where does one work? Automation specialists in the field of automation services find employment in companies in the automation industry (e.g., installation companies and specialist wholesalers for merchandise, beverage, catering, or entertainment machines) and with automation operators (e.g., transport companies, parking garage operators).

3 years

The vocational training (Ausbildung) is carried out simultaneously in the training company and in the vocational school (Berufsschule). Vocational school classes take place on specific weekdays or in block form. Excerpt from the training framework plan and the framework curriculum: 1st - 18th month of training: Training in the company: Automation service, handling information and communication systems, merchandise management, billing and evaluation of automation installation sites, sales promotion, legal framework conditions for the automation industry. Training in the vocational school (Berufsschule) in the learning fields: 1st year of training: Presenting and evaluating operational contexts, selecting industry-specific machines, commissioning machines for the first time, providing goods, checking electrotechnical systems. 2nd year of training: Installing machines, making basic settings, performing maintenance, checking safety devices, serving customers, evaluating automation installation sites. Part 1 of the final examination at the end of the 2nd year of training. 19th - 36th month of training: Training.

No costs are incurred for carrying out the vocational training (Ausbildung). 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) instruction 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: Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB).

In the training company (Ausbildungsbetrieb), trainees learn, for example, how to check fill levels and how to fill and empty vending machines as needed. They learn how to read, evaluate, log, and prepare reports for digital and analog technical test and measurement data. They learn how to determine the need for goods and spare parts and how to assemble them according to their intended use. They learn how to perform machine accounting, cash reconciliations, and actual-versus-target comparisons. They learn how to inform about service offerings and identify customer wishes. They learn which safety regulations and accident prevention rules must be observed. They learn how to develop, implement, control, and evaluate the results of marketing measures. They learn how to plan personnel deployment. They learn how to create invoices and process payment transactions and dunning procedures. They learn how to receive and process complaints and propose solutions. Furthermore, throughout the entire training, knowledge about topics such as rights and similar is acquired.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: In the company (Betrieb), practical participation (under guidance) is expected, for example, setting up and connecting vending machines, maintaining them, replenishing stock, performing cash reconciliations, implementing marketing measures, and processing human resources tasks. The environment involves changing workplaces, partly outdoors. Working hours can be irregular, including weekend shifts. Requirements include manual dexterity and technical understanding (e.g., when setting up and connecting operational vending machines or when maintaining and cleaning, including replacing wear parts), business acumen (e.g., when calculating offers), conscientiousness (e.g., in machine accounting and cash reconciliations), customer and service orientation (e.g., considering individual knowledge levels when instructing customers on function and operation), and flexibility (e.g., adapting to different working conditions when commissioning, emptying, and filling vending machines).

Trainees can complete parts of their vocational training (Ausbildung) abroad, for example, in various European countries. An internship abroad is possible within the framework of the additional qualification (Zusatzqualifikation) 'Europaassistent/in' (European Assistant). The duration is at least 3 weeks, and a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) is a prerequisite for access. Further information on the additional qualification 'Europaassistent/in' is available.

Currently, no collective bargaining agreements are available. Salary information varies; please check BERUFENET.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for successful vocational training (Ausbildung): Crafts/Technology (Werken/Technik): e.g., to connect and maintain vending machines. Mathematics: e.g., to calculate the demand for goods. Economics (Wirtschaft): e.g., to perform business administration tasks.

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

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of Automation Specialist in the field of Automation Services: Automation Mechatronics Specialist in the field of Mechatronics and Automation Technology. Commonality: Setting up and commissioning vending machines, performing maintenance. Commercial Clerk for Courier, Express, and Postal Services or Specialist for Warehouse Logistics in the field of Transport, Storage, and Logistics. Commonality: Planning, organizing, and processing logistical services. Industrial Clerk in the field of Sales and Distribution. Commonality: Taking on tasks in areas such as customer service, marketing, or accounting.

In 2008, the trial regulation for the Ausbildung (vocational training) of the professions of Specialist for Vending Machine Service (2 years) and Automation Specialist (without specializations) (3 years) came into force. In 2015, the vocational training for Automation Specialist was reorganized with the specializations of Automation Services and Automation Mechatronics; it combined the contents of the Ausbildung (vocational training) for Specialist for Vending Machine Service and Automation Specialist (without specializations). The predecessor profession of Automation Specialist (without specializations) was abolished. In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended: e.g., introduction of a minimum Ausbildung (vocational training) allowance; expansion of the possibility to complete Ausbildung (vocational training) part-time. The permeability within vocational education was also improved. Thus, Ausbildung (vocational training) regulations can provide that apprentices who fail the final or journeyman's examination in a profession that builds on a two-year vocational training profession can still obtain the qualification for the two-year profession.

Automation Specialist in the field of Automation Services is a recognized 3-year Ausbildung (vocational training) profession in industry and trade.

Qualification Title: Automation Specialist - Specialization in Automation Services

Improving Opportunities with Additional Qualifications: Future Automation Specialists in the field of Automation Services can gain a good starting position by acquiring additional qualifications during their Ausbildung (vocational training), e.g., in European Commercial and Economic Law through the additional qualification 'Europe Assistant'. Finding the Right Employment: After their Ausbildung (vocational training), Automation Specialists in the field of Automation Services work in companies in the vending machine industry and for vending machine operators. Securing Employability: Through adaptive Weiterbildung (further training), one can keep their specialized knowledge current, up-to-date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from accounting to maintenance and repair. Advancing Professionally: A promotion-oriented Weiterbildung (further training) helps to advance professionally and achieve leadership positions. It is logical to take the examination as a Technical Business Administrator. With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (university entrance qualification), the path to higher education is also open.

In 2024, there were 21 new Ausbildung (vocational training) entrants. 42 percent had a Hauptschulabschluss (secondary school leaving certificate), and 29 percent each had a Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss (intermediate school leaving certificate) or Hochschulreife (university entrance qualification). New Ausbildung (vocational training) entrants in 2024 (in %): Hauptschulabschluss* [42.0%], Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss [29.0%], Hochschulreife [29.0%]. *Depending on the Bundesland (federal state), also known as (Simple) Vocational Training Qualification, Vocational Qualification, Successful Completion of Middle School, First (general) School Leaving Certificate. Source: The data is based on information from the Data System for Apprentices (DAZUBI) of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).

During this Ausbildung (vocational training), specialization is possible in the areas of 'Commercial Business Processes' and 'Customer Service'.

Legal regulations and recommendations for this Ausbildung exist. These include the Vocational Training Regulation for Automatenfachmann and Automatenfachfrau (Automatenfachmannausbildungsverordnung - AutomAusbV) from July 1, 2015, and the Framework Curriculum for the vocational training occupation Automatenfachmann and Automatenfachfrau (resolution of the Kultusministerkonferenz from March 26, 2015).

Legally, no specific prior education is required for this Ausbildung.

A completed Ausbildung in the abolished vocational training occupation 'Fachkraft für Automatenservice' can be credited towards the Ausbildung as Automatenfachmann/Automatenfachfrau specializing in Automatendienstleistung.