Automatenfachmann/Automatenfachfrau Fachrichtung Automatenmechatronik

Automatenfachleute (specialists in automation technology) in the field of Automatenmechatronik (automation mechatronics) are trained in a dual system. Learning locations include the training company (usually companies in the vending machine industry or vending machine operators): workshop, office and sales rooms, vending machine locations, and the Berufsschule (vocational school): classrooms. Please note: Vocational school classes are partly conducted in cross-state specialized classes. Currently, for the Bundesländer (federal states) of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Saarland, Sachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thüringen, these are held at Berufskolleg Lübbecke in Lübbecke (Nordrhein-Westfalen). Source: Overview of Cross-State Specialized Classes (As of: 27.03.2025).

Occupation Type: Recognized Ausbildung (vocational training) occupation. Training Type: Dual Ausbildung (vocational training) in industry and trade (regulated by training ordinance). Training Duration: 3 years. Learning Locations: Training company and Berufsschule (vocational school) (dual Ausbildung). What does one do in this profession? Automatenmechatronik specialists, for example, assemble vending machines for food, tickets, banking, or entertainment at a suitable location, connect lines, install, and configure the device's information technology systems. They commission the machines, check their function and safety devices, and adjust the machine settings to the customer's needs. As part of maintenance work, they clean the devices and replace wear parts. If necessary, they carry out repairs and retrofit the machines. In the management of the machines, they check and replenish, for example, the stock of goods and change, make cash collections, and prepare statements. In addition, they advise customers.

Job Title: Automatenfachmann/-frau der Fachrichtung Automatenmechatronik (Specialist in Automation Mechatronics). What does one do in this profession? Automatenmechatronik specialists, for example, assemble vending machines for food, tickets, banking, or entertainment at a suitable location, connect lines, install, and configure the device's information technology systems. They commission the machines, check their function and safety devices, and adjust the machine settings to the customer's needs. As part of maintenance work, they clean the devices and replace wear parts. If necessary, they carry out repairs and retrofit the machines. In the management of the machines, they check and replenish, for example, the stock of goods and change, make cash collections, and prepare statements. In addition, they advise customers, process complaints, or take on tasks such as sales promotion. Where does one work? Automatenmechatronik specialists...

3 years

The Ausbildung (vocational training) is carried out in parallel at the training company and the Berufsschule (vocational school). 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: Vending machine service, handling information and communication systems, goods management, accounting and evaluation of vending machine locations, sales promotion, legal framework conditions for the vending machine industry. Training in the Berufsschule in the learning fields: 1st year of training: Presenting and evaluating operational contexts, selecting industry-specific vending machines, commissioning vending machines for the first time, providing goods, checking electrotechnical systems. 2nd year of training: Setting up vending machines, making basic settings, performing maintenance, checking safety devices, serving customers, evaluating vending machine locations. Part 1 of the final examination at the end of the 2nd year of training. 19th - 36th month of training: Training...

No costs are charged for carrying out the Ausbildung (vocational training). The training company provides the training materials required for the operational part of the training and pays the examination fees. Unless otherwise regulated, trainees must bear the costs of learning materials for Berufsschule (vocational school) 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 Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (vocational training allowance). Further information: Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB).

During their vocational training (Ausbildung), 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, record, and prepare reports on digital and analog technical test and measurement data. They learn how to determine the need for goods and spare parts and assemble them according to their intended use. They learn how to perform vending machine accounting, cash reconciliations, and target-actual comparisons. They learn how to inform about service offerings and determine customer wishes. They learn which safety regulations and accident prevention regulations must be observed. They learn how to process components and materials manually and by machine. They learn how to inspect and commission vending machines through visual inspection. They learn how to identify, analyze, and eliminate malfunctions in vending machines. They learn how to check the compatibility of hardware components and system requirements for software. Furthermore, knowledge about topics such as rights and obligations is acquired throughout the entire training.

The following conditions and requirements should be anticipated: In the company, practical participation (under guidance): e.g., setting up and connecting vending machines, maintaining them, replenishing stock, performing cash reconciliations, upgrading vending machines and integrating them into information technology systems, performing electrical work. Environment: changing workplaces, partly outdoors. Working hours: partly irregular working hours, weekend work. Requirements: Manual dexterity (e.g., when replacing components in vending machines). Technical understanding (e.g., when setting up and connecting ready-to-use vending machines or when maintaining and cleaning, including replacing wear parts). Diligence (e.g., in vending machine accounting and cash reconciliations). Customer and service orientation (e.g., when instructing customers on function and operation). Flexibility (e.g., adapting to different working conditions when commissioning, emptying, and filling vending machines at changing locations). Information about the vocational school (Berufsschule) is also available.

Trainees can complete parts of their vocational training (Ausbildung) abroad, for example, in various European countries. An internship abroad within the framework of the additional qualification 'Europaassistent/in' is possible. The duration is at least 3 weeks, and a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) is a prerequisite. 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 are good prerequisites for successful vocational training (Ausbildung): Shop/Technology: e.g., to assemble vending machines and process components. Mathematics: e.g., to perform vending machine accounting. Physics: e.g., to understand mechanical and electrical relationships. Computer Science: e.g., to configure application programs.

The additional qualification 'Europaassistent/in' 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 purpose, trainees attend additional vocational school (Berufsschule) classes, e.g., in European Commercial and Economic Law, and complete a multi-week internship abroad. The responsible chamber (Kammer) provides further information, e.g., Europaassistent/in.

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of Automatenfachmann/-frau Fachrichtung Automatenmechatronik: In the field of mechatronics and automation technology, these include Automatenfachmann/-frau Fachrichtung Automatendienstleistung, Elektroniker/-in für Automatisierungstechnik, Elektroniker/-in Fachrichtung Automatisierungs- und Systemtechnik, Elektroniker/-in für Geräte und Systeme, and Mechatroniker/-in. Common to all these professions are the installation and commissioning of devices and systems, and performing maintenance.

In 2008, the provisional regulation for the Ausbildung (vocational training) of Fachkraft für Automatenservice (2-year) and Automatenfachmann/-frau (without specializations) (3-year) came into effect. In 2015, the Automatenfachmann/-frau profession was restructured with the specializations Automatendienstleistung and Automatenmechatronik, combining content from the previous Fachkraft für Automatenservice and Automatenfachmann/-frau (without specializations) professions. The predecessor profession Automatenfachmann/-frau (without specializations) was abolished. In 2020, amendments to the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG) and Handwerksordnung (HWO) introduced a minimum Ausbildung (vocational training) remuneration and expanded the possibility of completing Ausbildung in Teilzeit (part-time). The permeability within vocational education was also improved; for example, Ausbildung regulations can now provide that apprentices who fail their final or journeyman's examination in a profession built upon a two-year vocational training may obtain a different Abschluss (qualification) under certain conditions.

Automatenfachmann/-frau Fachrichtung Automatenmechatronik is a recognized 3-year Ausbildung (vocational training) profession in industry and trade.

Abschluss (qualification) title: Automatenfachmann/-frau - Fachrichtung Automatenmechatronik.

Prospective Automatenfachleute (vending machine specialists) can improve their career opportunities by acquiring additional qualifications during their Ausbildung (vocational training), for example, in European Commercial and Economic Law through the 'Europaassistent/-in' qualification. After their Ausbildung, vending machine specialists work in companies within the vending machine industry and for vending machine operators. Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive training) helps to keep specialist knowledge current, up-to-date, and expanded. The range of topics extends from mechatronics to electrical engineering. Aufstiegsweiterbildung (advancement training) helps to progress professionally and achieve leadership positions. A logical step is to pursue further training as a Techniker/-in (technician) in electrical engineering with a focus on automation.

In 2024, there were 30 new Ausbildung (vocational training) apprentices. 50 percent had a mittlerer Bildungsabschluss (intermediate school leaving certificate), 30 percent had a Hauptschulabschluss (general secondary school leaving certificate), and 20 percent had Hochschulreife (higher education entrance qualification). *Depending on the Bundesland (federal state), Hauptschulabschluss may also be referred to as (Einfache) Berufsbildungsreife, Berufsreife, Erfolgreicher Abschluss der Mittelschule, or Erster (allgemeinbildender) Schulabschluss. These figures are based on information from the Datensystem Auszubildende (DAZUBI) of the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB).

Legal regulations and recommendations for this Ausbildung (vocational training) exist. These include the ordinance on vocational training 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 Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs 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 for Automatenfachmann/Automatenfachfrau, specialization Automatenmechatronik.