Geprüfter Berufsspezialist Technischer Kaufmann/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin Technische Kauffrau (doppelt qualifizierende Ausbildung)

Berufsspezialisten (Specialists) and Technical Merchants are trained in a school-based format at educational institutions (Berufsschule - vocational school). Learning locations are classrooms. In addition, the training in the recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) profession takes place in the company and at the vocational school.

Occupation Type: Vocational Training (Ausbildung) Training Type: Dual-qualified training (recognized vocational training plus an advanced training qualification as a 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in Technische/r Kaufmann/-frau'). Training Duration: 3.5 years. Learning Locations: Training company and vocational school (duale Ausbildung - dual vocational training) as well as additional classes. What do you do in this profession? Berufsspezialisten (Specialists) and Technical Merchants act as intermediaries between technical, organizational, and commercial departments of a company. They take on tasks in manufacturing, customer service, material purchasing, or sales. In production, for example, they participate in planning and optimizing work processes, monitor the timely execution of orders, check the quality of materials and end products, and may also work hands-on. In technical purchasing and sales, they negotiate with suppliers and customers, calculate offers, settle orders, and process complaints.

3.5 years

Example for the distribution of weekly hours: Production technology: 1st year 12 hours/week, 2nd year 8 hours/week, 3rd year 5 hours/week, 4th year 5 hours/week. Components: 1st year 5 hours/week, 2nd year 0 hours/week, 3rd year 4 hours/week, 4th year 3 hours/week. Maintenance: 1st year 3 hours/week, 2nd year 4 hours/week, 3rd year 4 hours/week, 4th year 4 hours/week. Automation technology: 1st year 0 hours/week, 2nd year 4 hours/week, 3rd year 6 hours/week, 4th year 5 hours/week. Business process systems and automation technology in the context of Industry 4.0: 1st year 0 hours/week, 2nd year 0 hours/week, 3rd year 4 hours/week, 4th year 0 hours/week. Quality assurance: 1st year 0 hours/week, 2nd year 3 hours/week, 3rd year 0 hours/week, 4th year 0 hours/week. Politics and society: 1st year 3 hours/week, 2nd year 3 hours/week, 3rd year 2 hours/week, 4th year 0 hours/week. Commercial specialized instruction: 1st year 10 hours/week, 2nd year 10 hours/week.

The vocational training (Ausbildung) in the company is free of charge for apprentices. Costs may arise for external accommodation, meals and specialized literature, course fees, and examination fees.

During the vocational training (Ausbildung) to become a Berufsspezialist (Specialist) Technical Merchant, one acquires knowledge in areas such as: Considering operational functions and legal requirements (e.g., operational organizational development, accounting regulations, product responsibility, liability, and data protection). Implementing operational performance processes and operative accounting (e.g., procurement, production, marketing, accounting, calculation). Applying operational and customer-oriented communication (e.g., appreciative communication and sustainable cooperation with network partners and customers). Training in a recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) profession, e.g.: Industrial Mechanic, Precision Mechanic.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements in this vocational training: Theoretical instruction: Future vocational specialists and technical merchants receive additional commercial lessons alongside their dual vocational training (duale Ausbildung).

No remuneration is paid for the additional commercial lessons to become a Technical Merchant. For the parallel dual vocational training (duale Ausbildung), prospective Technical Merchants receive a training allowance from the companies.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for successful training: Economics/Law: e.g., to apply commercial law regulations. Physics/Mathematics: e.g., to maintain technical systems. Computer Science: e.g., to work with various systems such as automation technology. German/English: e.g., to communicate with customers verbally and in writing.

The following training alternatives are available for the profession of vocational specialist or technical merchant: Sales and Distribution Area: Business assistant in crafts (dual-qualified training), Technical business administrator in crafts (dual-qualified training), Certified technical specialist, Business administrator (dual-qualified training) for general business administration. Commonality: Performing organizational tasks, possibly at the interface between business administration and technology or in sales, purchasing, finance, and accounting. Networking, Data and Information Security Area: Specialist - Industry 4.0. Commonality: Performing organizational or technical tasks, possibly at the interface between business administration and technology, contributing to the networking of processes.

2020: Amendment of the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO): among other things, the introduction of further training qualifications such as 'Certified Vocational Specialist', 'Bachelor Professional', or 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. 2021: Entry into force of the Special Legal Provisions for the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification 'Certified Vocational Specialist Technical Merchant' by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria. 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, the legal anchoring of the possibility of digital mobile training; introduction of an assessment and certification procedure (vocational validation) of individual vocational competence based on a recognized vocational training occupation, regardless of a formal vocational training qualification.

The training as a vocational specialist or technical merchant is a dual-qualified initial vocational training. It leads to a qualification in a recognized, usually technical, vocational training occupation (duale Berufsausbildung) and, in parallel, to the advanced training qualification 'Certified Vocational Specialist Technical Merchant' regulated by the competent Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The 3.5-year training is conducted at a vocational school (Berufsschule) and in companies.

Certified Professional Specialist Technical Merchant (IHK) / Certified Professional Specialist Technical Merchant (IHK). Generally, an additional qualification in a recognized apprenticeship, such as Industrial Mechanic or Precision Mechanic, is also obtained.

Finding suitable employment after training: Professional specialists and technical merchants work in companies in almost all economic sectors that have technical operating facilities, produce and sell technical products, or offer services. Securing employability: Through adaptive further training, one can keep their specialized knowledge current, up-to-date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from production and manufacturing technology to finance and accounting. Advancing professionally: Upward further training helps to advance professionally and achieve leadership positions. It is logical to complete an Ausbildung (vocational training) as a Business Administrator for Production Management. With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (university entrance qualification), one can also pursue a Studium (university degree) and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in Production Engineering. Taking the step into self-employment is also possible.

The responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations for this qualification. Example of a regulation from a Chamber of Industry and Commerce: Special legal provisions for the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification Certified Professional Specialist Technical Merchant (IHK) / Certified Professional Specialist Technical Merchant (IHK) from June 14, 2021 (IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria). Overview of the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce: Certified Professional Specialist Technical Merchant / Certified Professional Specialist Technical Merchant (IHK), regulations of the responsible bodies for vocational advanced training.

Typically, a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) and an Ausbildung (vocational training) contract in a recognized technical apprenticeship of at least three years are required. Immediately after successful completion of the training and commercial supplementary lessons, the advanced training examination as a Professional Specialist Technical Merchant can be taken. Alternatively, the completion of a two-year recognized technical apprenticeship plus professional experience or four years of relevant professional experience can enable admission to the examination.