Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Verteilnetztechnik/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Verteilnetztechnik

Preparatory courses for the examination take place, for example, at educational institutions of economic and professional associations, chambers (IHK), and private education providers. Learning locations include training rooms, workshop, and laboratory rooms.

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: Varies depending on the educational offer - 8-18 months (part-time). Tasks and activities: Specialists in distribution network technology operate distribution systems for district heating, gas, electricity, or water. They create cable and pipeline networks, lay pipelines, and set up house connections. They also install measuring devices, carry out pressure and leak tests, and commission lines and systems. They monitor networks and operating facilities and react to disruptions in network operation. Furthermore, they document processes and special incidents and evaluate them. In addition, they maintain the systems and, if necessary, repair them themselves to ensure their safety and economic efficiency. Work areas and locations: Employment...

Varies depending on the educational offer: Part-time: 8-18 months.

Course structure (example): Module 1: Fundamentals of Gas Supply: 5 days. Module 2: Fundamentals of Pipeline Construction - Gas Distribution Network: 10 days. Module 3: Gas Installation and Gas Appliance Technology: 10 days. Module 4: Introduction to Gas Pressure Regulation and Gas Measurement Technology: 5 days. Module 5: Maintenance of Gas Pipeline Networks up to 16 bar (Theory and Practice): 2 days. Module 6: Surveying and Documentation - Fundamentals for Distribution Network Operators: 3 days. Module 7: Occupational Safety, Environmental and Health Protection: 2 days. Module 8: Distribution Networks - Legal Framework Conditions, Processes and Management Systems: 3 days. Module 9: Fundamentals of Customer and Cost Orientation for Distribution Network Operators: 5 days. Module 10: Gas Pressure Regulation and Gas Measurement Systems - Expert Training: 7 days. Module 11: Pipeline Construction - Compact Seminar for Gas Distribution Network Operators: 5 days. Module 12: Working on Gas Pipelines with Uncontrolled Gas Outflow - Safety Training: 1 day. Module 13: Deepening of Specialist Knowledge in Theory and Practice: 6 days. Total: 64 days.

Course fees are generally incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, e.g., for work materials, travel to the training center, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Advanced training can be financially supported under the Advanced Training Promotion Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Advancement with Funding. Promotion of particularly talented young professionals: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Advanced training scholarship.

Learning areas: Subject-specific, e.g.: Qualifications are imparted in the areas of technology and functional analysis in the fields of district heating, gas, electricity, and water, such as: Understanding physical and chemical relationships, applying technical rules, selecting pipe materials, components, and fittings, implementing planning specifications, planning, initiating, and monitoring network construction measures, building, operating, and maintaining distribution networks and systems; applying analog and digital measurement methods, locating, rectifying, and digitally recording faults. In addition, further subject-specific knowledge (district heating, gas, electricity, or water) is taught, and practical skills are practiced. Cross-disciplinary, e.g.: Classifying the energy and water industry within the legal framework, applying digital work processes, adhering to data protection and information security, acting according to principles of cost and customer orientation.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Technology (e.g., for planning, building, and operating networks and facilities), Physics/Chemistry (e.g., for understanding correlations), Economics/Law (e.g., for processing orders and acting cost-consciously).

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Class times are typically part-time advanced training on weekends, evenings, or as block instruction. The learning format is usually in-person events: classroom instruction at the educational institution (possibly not in your place of residence).

Participation in advanced training is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Distribution Network Technology Specialist: Supply and Disposal Sector: Certified Master for Pipe, Sewer, and Industrial Service (Geprüfter Meister/Geprüfte Meisterin für Rohr-, Kanal- und Industrieservice) or Certified Network Master/Bachelor Professional for Distribution Networks (Geprüfter Netzmeister/Geprüfte Netzmeisterin/Bachelor Professional für Verteilnetze). The commonality is taking on specialist and management tasks in supply and disposal. Civil Engineering Sector: State-Certified Technician specializing in Civil Engineering (Staatlich geprüfter Techniker/Staatlich geprüfte Technikerin Fachrichtung Bautechnik Schwerpunkt Tiefbau/Bachelor Professional in Technik). The commonality is taking on specialist and management tasks in civil engineering.

In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended, introducing 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 2024, the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act came into force, with adjustments to the BBiG and HWO. These include the introduction of an assessment and certification procedure (vocational validation) of individual vocational competence based on a recognized training occupation, regardless of a formal vocational training qualification.

Depending on the responsible chamber, for example, Certified Professional Specialist for Distribution Network Technology (Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Verteilnetztechnik/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Verteilnetztechnik) or Certified Distribution Network Technician (Geprüfter Verteilnetztechniker/Geprüfte Verteilnetztechnikerin). In each case, this may include specifying the field of activity such as district heating, gas, electricity, or water.

The Certified Specialist for Distribution Network Technology is a professional advanced training. The examination is regulated by the legal provisions of the respective Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Admission requirements, duration, and degree titles may vary depending on the responsible chamber. It is not necessary to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

Finding suitable employment after advanced training: Specialists for Distribution Network Technology primarily work in private and public companies in electricity, gas, water, and district heating supply. Securing employability: Through adaptive advanced training, one can keep their specialized knowledge current, bring it up to date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from energy and plant technology to maintenance and repair. Career advancement: Building on existing qualifications, upward advanced training can expand and complement one's competence profile. It is a logical step to take the examination as a Network Master (Netzmeister/in). With their advanced training qualification, Specialists for Distribution Network Technology can also gain access to university studies (Studium) without a general higher education entrance qualification and, for example, acquire a Bachelor's degree in Supply Engineering.

The advanced training is available with the following specializations (fields of action): District Heating, Gas, Electricity, Water.

For the examination: The responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations, e.g.: Special legal provisions on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification 'Certified Specialist for Distribution Network Technology (IHK)' from 26.11.2021 (IHK Koblenz). The responsible bodies offer different qualifications. Overview of the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce: Certified Specialist for Distribution Network Technology (Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in für Verteilnetztechnik), regulations of the responsible bodies for professional advanced training; Distribution Network Technician (Verteilnetztechniker/in), regulations of the responsible bodies for professional advanced training.

The prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination is usually: the final examination in a recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) that corresponds to the chosen field of action OR a profession from the metal, electrical, or environmental technology sectors, as well as relevant professional experience OR at least 4 years of relevant professional experience.