Staatlich geprüfter Assistent/Staatlich geprüfte Assistentin für Medientechnik

Assistants for media technology are trained in a school-based format. Learning locations include vocational schools (classrooms for instruction, school-owned computer labs) and internship companies (e.g., offices of multimedia publishers, film, television, and radio broadcasters, advertising agencies).

This is an Ausbildung (vocational training) profession. The type of training is school-based at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools), regulated by state law (landesrechtlich geregelt). The training duration is 2-3 years. Learning locations are vocational schools and internship companies. What do you do in this profession? Assistants for media technology conceive and realize all kinds of media products, such as print products, video spots, animations, computer games, or internet offerings, according to customer wishes. They create and edit media elements, process audio, video, and image material, and prepare it for use in various media. They are also familiar with layout, screen design, and typography. They develop design concepts, create websites, and program web applications by integrating databases. They also operate and maintain media technology systems such as computer-assisted editing systems or printing systems, organize production processes, and participate in technical documentation. Tasks in event setup or marketing may also be part of their responsibilities.

Job title: Assistant for Media Technology. Occupation type: Berufsfachschule (vocational school) profession. Training duration: 2-3 years. Entry requirement: Usually a secondary school leaving certificate. What do you do in this profession? Assistants for media technology conceive and realize all kinds of media products, such as print products, video spots, animations, computer games, or internet offerings, according to customer wishes. They create and edit media elements, process audio, video, and image material, and prepare it for use in various media. They are also familiar with layout, screen design, and typography. They develop design concepts, create websites, and program web applications by integrating databases. They also operate and maintain media technology systems such as computer-assisted editing systems or printing systems, organize production processes, and participate in technical documentation. Tasks in event setup or marketing may also be part of their responsibilities.

2-3 years

Example for the distribution of hours: Learning fields of job-related instruction including practical training: Mathematics/Natural Sciences: 1st school year 80 hours, 2nd school year 80 hours. English: 1st school year 40 hours, 2nd school year 40 hours. Exploring and presenting the media technology professional field: 1st school year 80 hours, 2nd school year 80 hours. Organizing production processes and calculating media products: 1st school year 80 hours, 2nd school year 80 hours. Applying image technical measurement and transmission procedures: 1st school year 80 hours, 2nd school year 80 hours. Applying sound technical measurement and transmission procedures: 1st school year 80 hours, 2nd school year 80 hours. Conceiving and realizing online products: 1st school year 120 hours, 2nd school year 120 hours. Conceiving and realizing video products: 1st school year 200 hours, 2nd school year 200 hours. Conceiving, realizing, and presenting multimedia products: 1st school year 160 hours, 2nd school year 160 hours. Conceiving and realizing event setup: 1.

Training at public schools is generally free for students, but admission and examination fees may apply. Private schools, on the other hand, usually charge course fees. Further costs may arise, for example, for learning materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Under certain conditions, students participating in a vocational Ausbildung (training) can receive funding according to the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG). More information: The BAföG: all information at a glance.

During this Ausbildung (vocational training), one acquires knowledge in areas such as media technology, image, audio, and video technology, image and sound technical measurement and transmission methods, analog and digital circuit technology, 2-D and 3-D animation, presentation and exhibition technology. Furthermore, topics like the conception and realization of online and multimedia products as well as video products, design of images, films, and web applications, creation of websites, sound and video editing, use of databases and networks for media products, technical documentation, business administration, organization of production processes, calculation, and marketing are learned. General subjects like German and social studies are also taught during the Ausbildung. During internships, theoretical knowledge is applied in practice, for example, in television and media institutions or advertising agencies. Students gain insight into business operations and gather professional experience.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements in this profession: Theoretical lessons take place in a classroom setting, possibly with project work and content review at home. Practical work is carried out in the school's computer rooms and at the internship company. Under guidance, practical tasks such as creating websites, designing multimedia products like advertisements, brochures, computer games, and performing calculations are done. The work environment typically involves screen work in office or special computer rooms. Technical understanding (e.g., when using audio and video software, programming web applications), diligence and attention (when editing audio and video material, checking quality, and identifying defects), organizational skills and commercial thinking (e.g., when planning and realizing media products, calculating costs), and customer orientation (e.g., when responding to client requests) are important competencies.

No remuneration is paid for this Ausbildung.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for a successful Ausbildung: Mathematics: e.g., to perform cost calculations and budgeting. English: e.g., to understand English technical terms and texts. German: e.g., to advise customers. Economics: e.g., to organize production processes and marketing tasks.

The following Ausbildung alternatives are available for the profession of Media Technology Assistant: Printing and Media Sector: State-certified commercial media assistant, specialist for audiovisual media, media specialist digital and print, media designer digital and print (specializing in project management). Commonality: Organizing and calculating the production and marketing of media products. Office and Secretarial Sector: State-certified commercial assistant for business administration, commercial assistant/economic assistant (office/secretariat), specialist for office management. Commonality: Performing organizational and commercial tasks.

2 or 3 years. 2 years. 3 years (with acquisition of Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification)).

In 1997, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) established a framework agreement for vocational schools. From 1997 onwards, based on this framework agreement, Bundesländer (federal states) such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern issued regulations.

During theoretical and practical lessons, knowledge is imparted in the following areas: General learning areas (German/Communication, Economics and Social Studies, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sports/Health Promotion) and job-related learning areas (designing, installing, operating, and maintaining simple systems and system components; observing safety regulations for electrical devices; planning and advising on simple system networks; selecting hardware and software components for audio, video, and image processing; applying technical documents; setting up and configuring devices according to customer requirements; procuring, selecting, processing, and presenting information; analyzing, calculating, and acquiring orders, advising customers; applying standard software for calculation, word processing, drawing, design, and presentation creation; contributing to the creation of multimedia).

Assistant for Media Technology is a school-based Ausbildung (vocational training) regulated by state law at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools). It lasts 2-3 years and leads to a state examination.

This Ausbildung (vocational training) is legally regulated only in the mentioned Bundesländer (federal states) and leads to the following qualification titles there: In Saxony-Anhalt, 'Staatlich geprüfter Assistent für Medientechnik/Staatlich geprüfte Assistentin für Medientechnik' (State-Certified Assistant for Media Technology). In Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, it is 'Staatlich geprüfter Medientechnischer Assistent/Staatlich geprüfte Medientechnische Assistentin' (State-Certified Media Technology Assistant).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), Assistants for Media Technology work in multimedia publishing houses, advertising agencies, software publishers, or film, television, and radio companies. They can keep their expertise up-to-date or bring it to the latest standard through adaptive further training, covering topics from multimedia production to media law. To advance professionally and reach leadership positions, further training as a technician in print and media technology is a common path. With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (higher education entrance qualification), one can also pursue a Studium (university degree), for example, earning a Bachelor's degree in Media or Multimedia Technology. Self-employment is also possible, for instance, by starting a media production company or working as a consultant.

2 years

During theoretical and practical lessons, knowledge is acquired in the following areas: General subjects (German, Social Studies, Sports, Religion or Ethics) and job-related subjects (Mathematics/Natural Sciences, English). Topics include exploring and presenting the media technology profession, organizing production processes and calculating media products, applying image and sound technical measurement and transmission methods, conceiving and realizing online products, conceiving and realizing video products, conceiving and presenting multimedia products, conceiving and realizing an event setup. Elective offerings include, for example, conceiving and realizing 2-D/3-D animations. Practical training is also carried out in suitable companies during the course of study.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) lasts 2 years. The training can also be completed part-time, but currently there is no information available regarding the duration.

During theoretical and practical training, the following knowledge is acquired: Job-related areas such as analyzing technical systems, creating technical drawings and graphics, configuring and networking IT systems, creating digital media, preparing technical documents, modeling and applying databases, conceiving and realizing dynamic websites, realizing media projects, setting up and applying editorial and authoring systems. Practical periods are treated like a subject or a learning field and are shown with a grade on the certificate. General subjects include German/Communication, English, Mathematics, Economics/Politics, Religion or Philosophy, and Sports.

Depending on the Bundesland (federal state), the Ausbildung (vocational training) is also offered with the following specializations: Geovisualization, media design and print production, technical documentation.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) lasts 2 years.

Regulation at the federal level: Framework agreement on the Ausbildung (vocational training) and examination for Staatlich geprüfter technischer Assistent and Staatlich geprüfte technische Assistentin (state-certified technical assistant) and for Staatlich geprüfter kaufmännischer Assistent and Staatlich geprüfte kaufmännische Assistentin (state-certified commercial assistant) at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) (Resolution of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Conference of Ministers of Education) of 30.09.2011, as amended on 21.03.2024). The framework agreement of the Kultusministerkonferenz on Ausbildung at Berufsfachschulen is not directly applicable law. The individual Bundesländer (federal states) regulate assistant training in their school or Berufsfachschulordnungen (vocational school regulations) based on the framework agreement. Regulations at the state level: The Ausbildung is regulated by state law in the following Bundesländer: Training and Examination Ordinance for the Berufsfachschulen of the State of Berlin (Berufsfachschulverordnung - APO-BFS) of 14.07.2009 (Ber.GVBl. S. 327), last amended by Article 3 of the Ordinance of 15.09.2025 (Ber.GVBl. S. 470).

A secondary school leaving certificate is required. Further prerequisites may vary depending on the Bundesland (federal state) and the educational program.

During theoretical and practical lessons, knowledge is imparted in the following areas: general subjects like German, social studies, religion or philosophy, and sports. Profession-related learning areas include conceiving, installing, operating, and maintaining simple systems and system components; observing safety regulations for electrical devices; planning and advising on simple system networks; selecting hardware and software components for audio, video, and image processing; applying technical documents; setting up and configuring devices according to customer wishes; acquiring, selecting, processing, and presenting information; analyzing, calculating, and acquiring orders, advising customers; applying standard software for calculation, word processing, drawing and design, and creating presentations; contributing to the creation of multimedia presentations; creating websites and applications.

A secondary school leaving certificate and good basic mathematical knowledge are required.

A Realschulabschluss (secondary school certificate) and a maximum age of 24 years are required.

A secondary school leaving certificate or eligibility to attend the gymnasiale Oberstufe (upper secondary school) is required.

A Mittlere Reife (secondary school certificate) or eligibility to attend the gymnasiale Oberstufe (upper secondary school) is required.