Geprüfter Binnenschiffermeister/Geprüfte Binnenschiffermeisterin

Preparatory courses for the examination take place, for example, at private and other educational institutions. Learning locations are usually training rooms.

This is a continuing education profession (Meister/in). The type of continuing education is a Meisterprüfung (master craftsman examination) according to the legal regulations of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Participation in preparatory courses is not required. The duration of continuing education varies depending on the educational offer, class time (full-time/part-time), and learning format. Certified Inland Shipping Masters manage the cargo or passenger transport of inland vessels. They organize loading and unloading as well as freight transport or control the driving operations in passenger transport. In addition, they ensure the roadworthiness of the ships and the operational readiness of the facilities on board. They navigate the ship on waterways and instruct the employees on board. They also train apprentices. In inland shipping companies, they negotiate with suppliers, manage processes, advise customers, and, if necessary, manage the entire operation. Employment establishments are inland shipping companies.

The duration varies depending on the educational offer, class time (full-time/part-time), and learning format.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Further costs may arise for working materials, travel to the training center, or external accommodation. Preparatory courses for the Meisterprüfung can be financially supported according to the Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz (Advanced Training Promotion Act). For more information, see 'Aufstiegs-BAföG - Aufstieg mit Förderung' and for the promotion of particularly talented young professionals, 'Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium'.

Fundamental Qualifications: Legally conscious action (e.g., labor, social, environmental, and economic legal regulations), business-oriented action (e.g., operational structure and process organization, organizational development, wage determination, cost accounting and calculation), methods of information, communication, and planning (e.g., capturing, analyzing, and processing process data, applying project management methods as well as information and communication tools), cooperation in the company (e.g., promoting communication and cooperation, leadership methods, methods for solving operational problems), scientific and technical principles (e.g., norms, safety and environmental regulations, forms of energy). Action-Specific Qualifications: Ship operation (ship operating and handling technology, service provision, occupational, environmental, and health protection), ship management (operational financial planning, process control and optimization, inland shipping law).

In-depth knowledge in the following areas are good prerequisites for successfully passing the continuing education examination: Planning/Organization (e.g., to plan, lead, and monitor passenger transport), Economy/Law (e.g., to ensure compliance with occupational safety and environmental regulations), Technology (e.g., to set up technical systems and facilities functionally), Employee Leadership and Instruction (e.g., to apply leadership tools such as target agreements and feedback).

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Lesson time for full-time education: full-day lessons on at least four weekdays; for part-time education: usually career-accompanying training on weekends or in the evening. Learning format: typically in-person events, meaning classroom instruction at the educational institution (which may not be in your place of residence).

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Binnenschiffermeister/in: Transport, Storage, and Logistics Sector: Geprüfter Logistikmeister/Geprüfte Logistikmeisterin (Certified Logistics Master), Geprüfter Fachwirt für Güterverkehr und Logistik/Geprüfte Fachwirtin für Güterverkehr und Logistik - Bachelor Professional in Transport Management and Logistics (Certified Specialist in Freight Transport and Logistics - Bachelor Professional in Transport Management and Logistics). Commonality: Planning and controlling transport and handling processes. Office and Secretarial Sector: Geprüfter Technischer Fachwirt/Geprüfte Technische Fachwirtin (Certified Technical Business Administrator). Commonality: Managing, organizing, and monitoring commercial-business processes.

In 2018, the first legal regulations for the advanced training examination to become a Geprüfter Binnenschiffermeister/Geprüfte Binnenschiffermeisterin (Certified Inland Skipper Master) were established. In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended. Among other things, this included the introduction of the advanced training qualifications 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in' (Certified Professional Specialist), 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations.

Qualification Title: Geprüfter Binnenschiffermeister/Geprüfte Binnenschiffermeisterin (Certified Inland Skipper Master).

Binnenschiffermeister or Binnenschiffermeisterin is a vocational advanced training. The Meisterprüfung (master craftsman's examination) is regulated by legal provisions of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Admission requirements and qualification titles may vary depending on the responsible chamber. It is not necessary to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After this advanced training, Binnenschiffermeister/innen (certified inland waterway masters) can find employment, for example, in inland waterway freight transport or passenger shipping companies. To maintain and expand their expertise, they can pursue Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive advanced training) in topics such as ship traffic and logistics. For career advancement, it is possible to take the examination to become a Technische/r Betriebswirt/in (Technical Business Administrator). With this advanced training qualification, masters can gain access to higher education even without a general university entrance qualification and pursue a Bachelor's degree (Studium) in fields like Ship, Shipping Management, or Port Economics. Self-employment (Selbstständigkeit) is also a possible path.

For the examination, the responsible Industrie- und Handelskammern (IHK - Chambers of Industry and Commerce) issue examination regulations. An example is the special legal provisions for the advanced training examination for the recognized qualification Geprüfter Binnenschiffermeister/Geprüfte Binnenschiffermeisterin (Certified Inland Waterway Master) from June 29, 2016 (IHK Duisburg-Wesel-Kleve). An overview of the responsible IHKs and their regulations for professional advanced training is available. Further relevant regulations include the Ausbilder-Eignungsverordnung (Instructor Aptitude Ordinance) from January 21, 2009, and the framework plan for the training of instructors, a recommendation from the main committee of the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB - Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training) from June 25, 2009 (amended version from June 20, 2023).

The prerequisite for admission to the master examination (Meisterprüfung) is generally one of the following: a Berufsausbildung (vocational training) as a Binnenschiffer/in (inland waterway boatman/woman), or training in another recognized vocational occupation with at least 1 year of relevant professional experience, or at least 4 years of relevant professional experience. Additionally, a Befähigungszeugnis (certificate of competency/patent) according to the RheinSchPersV (Rhine Ship Personnel Ordinance) (excluding sports patents) or the skipper patents of classes A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2 and F according to the Binnenschifferpatentverordnung (Inland Waterway Skipper Patent Ordinance) and a radar patent, or proof of other patents, route knowledge, and/or other competencies that justify admission to the examination, are required.