Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Datenanalyse/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Datenanalyse

Preparation courses for the examination take place at the respective educational institution. For digital learning formats (e.g., virtual classroom), learning locations can be at home or, if applicable, training rooms during in-person phases.

Occupation type: Advanced training occupation (Berufsspezialist/in). Type of advanced training: Advanced training examination according to nationwide standardized regulations. Participation in preparation courses is not required. Duration of advanced training: 1 year (part-time). Tasks and activities: Data analysis specialists support project management in IT projects for data analysis from preparation to completion. First, they determine the requirements for the analysis of business processes and data. In doing so, they consider customer needs, technical conditions, data security, and accessibility. Afterwards, they evaluate processes and data and select suitable technologies and measures for evaluation. Data analysis specialists assess the prepared data and, together with project management, develop recommendations for improving and making business processes more sustainable. Finally, they document and present their results.

Part-time: 1 year.

Distribution of hours (example): Learning and working methodology: 10 teaching hours. Planning, conducting, and evaluating data analyses for the optimization of business and production processes: 400 teaching hours. Determining requirements for data analysis: 50 teaching hours. Preparing data analysis of business and production processes: 110 teaching hours. Analyzing data and evaluating results: 110 teaching hours. Conducting evaluation as a basis for continuous optimization: 40 teaching hours. Organizational and legal requirements: 40 teaching hours. Project support and coordination: 50 teaching hours. Total teaching hours: 410 teaching hours.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparation courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Preparation courses for the advanced training examination can be financially supported according to the Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz (Advanced Training Promotion Act). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Advancement with Funding. Promotion of particularly talented young specialists: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium (Advanced Training Scholarship).

Planning, conducting, and evaluating data analyses for the optimization of business and production processes. Determining requirements for data analysis, e.g., identifying customer requirements, determining the question and intention of the data analysis together with stakeholders. Preparing data analysis of business and production processes, e.g., analyzing and cleaning existing data sets, adapting data formats. Analyzing data and evaluating results, e.g., using analytical and statistical methods and algorithms for data analysis, visualizing data to be analyzed. Conducting evaluation as a basis for continuous optimization, e.g., initiating measures for optimizing data models and analysis procedures, developing cross-system rules for monitoring and maintaining data quality. Organizational and legal requirements, e.g., determining requirements for data security concepts, participating in the development of data security concepts.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing this advanced training examination: Computer Science (e.g., to extract, prepare, and load data) and German/English (e.g., to present analysis results in English).

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Lesson times are usually part-time advanced training on weekends or in the evenings. The learning format is usually digital learning forms (e.g., virtual classroom), meaning exclusive learning via electronic learning platforms and systems (predominantly from home in a classroom setting).

For advanced training abroad, the following options are available, for example: In Austria, advanced training offers can be found via AMS - Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich - Weiterbildungsdatenbank and WIFI Österreich (e.g., with the search term 'Datenanalyse'). In Switzerland, advanced training offers are available via wab - Die Weiterbildungsdatenbank der Schweiz (e.g., with the search term 'Datenanalyse'). For documenting professional experience abroad, Europass offers the possibility to document learning stays completed abroad. Further information on Europass is available.

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Data Analysis Specialist: In the area of Networking, Data and Information Security: Certified Professional for Information Security, Certified Professional for IT Consulting, Certified Professional for System Integration and Networking. The commonality is connecting and protecting business and production processes and data. In the area of Hardware and Software Development: Certified Professional for Software Development, Bachelor Professional in Business Informatics, State-Certified Technician/Technician specializing in Computer Science with a focus on Business Informatics/Bachelor Professional in Technology, State-Certified Technician/Technician specializing in Computer Science.

In 2002, IT advanced training courses were reorganized: The nationwide 'Verordnung über die berufliche Fortbildung im Bereich der Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik' (IT Advanced Training Ordinance) established 3 career levels (Specialists, Operative Professionals, Strategic Professionals). Examination regulations for 4 Operative and 2 Strategic Professionals were defined, along with 29 specialist profiles. In 2010, the IT Advanced Training Ordinance was amended: Admission requirements for Operative Professionals were changed (shorter professional experience), and specialist profiles were included in the ordinance, reducing the number of specialist profiles from 29 to 14. In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were revised: Among other things, the advanced training qualifications 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in', 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' were introduced to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new regulations.

The title is Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Datenanalyse/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Datenanalyse (Certified Data Analysis Specialist).

The Data Analysis Specialist is a professional advanced training. The examination is standardized nationwide in Germany. It is not mandatory to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After this advanced training, Data Analysis Specialists primarily work in the IT sector. They can also be employed in companies across various economic sectors that manage or process large data sets, or in public administration. To maintain and expand their expertise, they can pursue adaptive training in topics such as database development, programming, and data protection law. For career advancement, individuals can build on existing qualifications and take an examination as a Bachelor Professional in IT. With this advanced training degree, Data Analysis Specialists can gain access to higher education even without a general university entrance qualification.

The examination for this advanced training is regulated by the Ordinance on the Examination for the Recognized Advanced Training Qualification titled Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Datenanalyse or Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Datenanalyse (Data Analysis Advanced Training Examination Ordinance - DAFPrV), promulgated as Article 1 of the Ordinance of 24.09.2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 296). Further information can be found in the Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Datenanalyse/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Datenanalyse - Framework Plan with Learning Objectives, 2024 (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce - DIHK).

The prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination is generally one of the following: a final or journeyman's examination in a recognized Ausbildung (vocational training) in the field of information and communication technology, or a degree in another recognized Ausbildung and at least 1 year of relevant professional experience, or at least 60 credit points in a Studium (university degree) and at least 2 years of professional experience, or at least 4 years of professional experience with significant relevance to tasks in data analysis.