Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Elektronik Mobilität/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Elektronik Mobilität

Preparatory courses for the examination take place at the respective educational institution and with practical partners. Learning locations include training rooms, workshops, company premises, and at home for online learning units.

Occupation type: Advanced training profession (Berufsspezialist/in). Type of advanced training: Advanced training examination according to the regulations of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Participation in preparatory courses is not required. Duration of advanced training: 7-8 months (part-time). Tasks and activities: Professional specialists for electronic mobility maintain vehicles in public transport companies or are responsible for the electrical safety of the infrastructure. They commission vehicles, repair them, and ensure that light rail trains and buses are always operational. For example, they inspect and maintain drives, doors, or air conditioning systems and update components such as assistance systems, control units, and communication technologies. If errors or malfunctions occur in a vehicle or vehicle component, they identify the cause and rectify it. Furthermore, they undertake electrotechnical tasks in control and safety technology within the scope of traffic infrastructure.

Varies depending on the educational offer: Part-time: 7-8 months.

Distribution of hours (example): Basic module: 150 hours. Specialization module: 200 hours. Preparation and follow-up, self-study time: 50 hours. Total hours: 400 hours.

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

Basic module, e.g.: Fundamentals of mobility, future of public transport, technological fundamentals, safety and occupational health. Specialization modules: Buses, e.g.: Occupational safety and communication technologies, electric drives, specialized knowledge of components such as doors and brakes, assistance systems, maintenance and repair. Rail vehicles, e.g.: Law and occupational safety, electrical engineering, sensor technology, specialized knowledge of components such as air conditioning systems or control units, communication technologies, operation and maintenance. Control and safety technology, e.g.: Types of signal boxes, track clearance detection, single point control, level crossings, train control and train routing.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing this advanced training examination: Electrical Engineering/Electronics (e.g., to troubleshoot vehicles) and Planning/Organization (e.g., to organize maintenance of vehicles and components).

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 in block lessons. In combined learning forms (e.g., blended learning), there are in-person events in a classroom setting at the educational institution and self-directed learning from home via electronic learning platforms and systems.

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Electronics Mobility Specialist: In the field of Vehicle and Transport Technology; Certified Specialist for Automotive Service Technology, Certified Specialist for Electromobility Charging Infrastructure Systems, State-Certified Technician/Bachelor Professional in Technology specializing in Electromobility, State-Certified Technician/Bachelor Professional in Technology specializing in Automotive Technology, Master Automotive Technician/Bachelor Professional in the Automotive Technician Trade. Commonality: Taking on specialized tasks in the commissioning and maintenance of vehicles. In the field of Mechatronics and Automation Technology; State-Certified Technician/Bachelor Professional in Technology specializing in Electrical Engineering.

In 2020, the amendment of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) introduced advanced training qualifications such as 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in' (Certified Professional Specialist), 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations. In 2021, the IHK Köln issued special legal regulations for the advanced training examination 'Geprüfter Berufsspezialist/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Elektronik Mobilität' (Certified Professional Specialist for Electronics Mobility). In 2024, the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act came into force, with adjustments to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO). These adjustments include the introduction of an assessment and certification procedure (vocational validation) of individual professional competence based on the standard of a recognized training occupation, regardless of a formal vocational training qualification.

Qualification Title: Certified Professional Specialist for Electronics Mobility (IHK)

The Specialist for Electronic Mobility is a vocational advanced training. The examination is regulated according to the legal provisions of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It is not required to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After their advanced training, Specialists for Electronic Mobility primarily work for public transport companies. They can keep their expertise up-to-date, expand, and refresh it through adaptive training, covering topics from electromobility to communication technologies. For career advancement, further training can expand and complement their skills. A natural progression is to complete training as a technician in electromobility. With their advanced training qualification, Specialists for Electronic Mobility can also gain access to university studies without a general higher education entrance qualification and, for example, earn a Bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering.

The advanced training offers the following specialization modules: Buses, Rail Vehicles, Control and Safety Technology.

For the examination, the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations, e.g., the special legal regulation for the advanced training examination "Certified Specialist for Electronic Mobility (IHK)" from December 1, 2021 (IHK Cologne).

The prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination is usually one of the following: a qualification in a recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, or mechatronics; or a qualification as an industrial mechanic or training in a commercial-technical field, plus at least 1 year of professional experience; or at least 60 credit points in a university study (Studium) and at least 2 years of professional experience; or at least 5 years of professional experience. The professional experience must have significant relevance to the area of application.