Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für industrielle Teilereinigung/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für industrielle Teilereinigung

Preparatory courses for the examination take place at educational institutions of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and other educational centers. For in-person events, the learning locations are training rooms and laboratories. For combined learning forms (e.g., blended learning), the learning locations are training rooms and laboratories for in-person events, and at home for online learning units.

Occupation type: Advanced training occupation: Specialist. Type of advanced training: Advanced training examination according to the regulations of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Participation in preparatory courses is not required. Duration of advanced training: 12 months (part-time). Tasks and activities: Specialists for industrial parts cleaning first examine the type of contamination and the required cleanliness level of the parts. They clarify whether the parts will later be glued, for example, and therefore must be completely free of dust, oil, and grease, or if special hygiene regulations apply. Afterwards, they select the appropriate cleaning method and decide on suitable cleaning agents. They set up the cleaning machines, monitor the process, and control the quality of the cleaned parts. In case of malfunctions, they investigate the causes and rectify the errors. Furthermore, they improve cleaning processes and advise customers on individual cleaning solutions.

Part-time: 12 months.

Course structure (example): Basic module: 2 in-person weeks: total 10 days. Specialization module: In-person phase: 3 practical weeks: total 15 days. Project work (in company): 30 days. Written and oral examination: total 3.5 hours. Online lessons: 3 hours weekly between in-person phases. Self-study phases: 7 hours weekly between in-person phases.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for working materials, travel to the training center, 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: Foundation for the Promotion of Gifted Vocational Education (Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung - SBB) - Advanced Training Scholarship.

Fundamentals of industrial parts cleaning, e.g., scientific contexts and technical implementations, chemistry of contamination, force and energy of cleaning steps. Planning and optimization of cleaning processes, e.g., analysis of processes and systems, interaction and synergy of components and parameters. Analytics in the cleaning context, e.g., methods of component and surface analysis, damage analysis. Troubleshooting, e.g., approach to problems, localization of the error, determination of the cause, error correction. Environment and circular economy, e.g., sustainability of cleaning processes. Purity requirements and cleanliness characteristics. Communication. Practical activity, e.g., testing various cleaning methods such as ultrasonic, laser cleaning, CO2 blasting, steam cleaning. Company project work, e.g., description of a cleaning process and process planning, execution, including documentation, followed by presentation and technical discussion.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Technology (e.g., to find and fix error causes in case of malfunctions), Chemistry/Physics (e.g., to identify types of contamination and select cleaning methods), Economics/Law (e.g., to prepare cleaning solutions or dispose of them properly).

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the educational provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Lesson times are usually part-time advanced training on weekends or in the evening. In combined learning forms (e.g., blended learning), the learning method involves face-to-face events in a classroom setting at the educational institution, online lessons, 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 Specialist for Industrial Parts Cleaning: Field of Cleanliness and Hygiene (Master Textile Cleaner/Bachelor Professional in Textile Cleaning Craft) Commonality: Selecting and applying cleaning methods and agents. Field of Quality Assurance (Certified Quality Specialist in Manufacturing Testing Technology) Commonality: Controlling the quality of products. Field of Electroplating and Metal Surface Treatment (Master Electroplater/Bachelor Professional in Electroplating Craft, State-certified Technician specializing in Electroplating Technology/Bachelor Professional in Technology) Commonality: Taking on specialist and management tasks in electroplating and metal surface treatment.

2020: Amendment of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO): among other things, introduction of the advanced training qualifications "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. 2020 to 2024: Advanced training to become a Certified Professional Specialist for Industrial Parts Cleaning is developed and introduced. 2022: IHK Dresden: Enactment of the Special Legal Regulation on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification Certified Professional Specialist for Industrial Parts Cleaning. 2024: Entry into force of the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act with adjustments to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO): among other things, introduction of an assessment and certification procedure (vocational validation) of acquired competencies.

Exemption from examination parts: Individuals are usually exempt from individual examination performances if they have successfully passed an equivalent examination at a public or state-recognized educational institution or before a state examination board.

Certified Professional Specialist for Industrial Parts Cleaning (IHK) / Certified Professional Specialist for Industrial Parts Cleaning (IHK)

A Professional Specialist for Industrial Parts Cleaning is a vocational advanced training (Weiterbildung). The examination is regulated by the legal provisions of the respective Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It is not necessary to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After their advanced training, Professional Specialists for Industrial Parts Cleaning work in companies that offer parts cleaning services for industrial enterprises or in industrial manufacturing companies with their own parts cleaning department. They can keep their specialist knowledge up-to-date, bring it to the latest standard, and expand it through adaptive advanced training (Anpassungsweiterbildung). The range of topics extends from cleaning to process management. To advance professionally, further advanced training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) can expand and supplement existing qualifications. It is advisable to complete advanced training as a technician (Techniker) in mechanical engineering with a focus on production and quality management. With their advanced training qualification, Professional Specialists for Industrial Parts Cleaning can also gain access to a university even without a school-based higher education entrance qualification (schulische Hochschulzugangsberechtigung).

For the examination, the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations, e.g., the Special Legal Regulation of the IHK Dresden for the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification 'Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für industrielle Teilereinigung (IHK)' from June 27, 2022 (IHK Dresden). An overview of the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce is available.

The prerequisites for admission to the advanced training examination are: a final examination in a commercial, technical, or scientific profession; or a completed scientific or technical university degree (Studium); or a university degree in another field of study and at least 5 years of professional experience in industrial cleaning processes.