After Your Apprenticeship Here’s how you can further your professional qualifications

The “Meister” qualification is an advanced vocational training program leading to a degree recognized under public law. It qualifies you to take on responsibility for the planning, preparation, organization, and production of an industrial or skilled trades business. A completed vocational training program is a prerequisite. Various educational institutions and master craftsman schools offer preparatory courses for the final exams, both full-time and part-time. Participation in these courses is not always mandatory for admission to the exams.

Master Craftsman/woman:
The goal of this qualification is to practice a trade independently, run your own business, and hire and train apprentices.

Industrial Foreman/Forwoman:
The goal is to provide technical, organizational, and personnel leadership for work groups or departments in (industrial) companies.

To be admitted to the master’s examination, you must have successfully passed a journeyman’s examination. If you are aiming for a master’s qualification in the same trade, you can begin the advanced training immediately after completing your apprenticeship. If you wish to earn a master craftsman’s certificate in a different trade, you should have at least two years of professional experience. In this case, the successful completion of a vocational school—one year for one-year programs and two years for multi-year programs—counts toward the required professional experience. Foreign educational qualifications are also taken into account.

With a special exemption and sufficient professional experience, even individuals who have not completed vocational training can register for the master craftsman’s examination. However, many master craftsman examination boards require that you first pass the journeyman’s examination as an external candidate.

The master craftsman’s examination consists of four parts, which can be taken independently of one another: practical skills, technical theory, economic and legal fundamentals, and the trainer qualification exam.
 

Costs: vary between 4,000 and 10,000 euros depending on the industry and occupation, plus exam fees

General funding options: Upgrading BAföG

This continuing education program focuses on business administration combined with industry-specific skill development. Certified Specialists are employed in a variety of roles: They can advance to middle management and typically work at the planning, organizational, and administrative levels. The qualification is equivalent to the Master Craftsman certification and grants general eligibility for university admission.

The exam is typically administered by the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce. This chamber can also provide you with detailed information about the admission requirements as well as the specific course content, which varies by industry. To be admitted to the exam, you must generally have completed a three-year vocational training program in business, industrial-technical, or administrative fields and/or have relevant professional experience. Professional experience can also be gained during the continuing education program. Depending on the format (part-time or full-time; distance learning), the preparatory courses last between two and 30 months. They are not mandatory for admission to the exam.
 

Costs: vary between 3,500 and 6,000 euros depending on the industry; exam fee is approximately 350 euros

General funding options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, continuing education scholarship

The Technician (also known as a State-Recognized Technician or State-Certified Technician) is an advanced qualification earned at a technical college, culminating in a state examination. Possible fields of work include design and development, prototype construction, or quality assurance. Female technicians plan projects and take on leadership roles. By passing the trainer qualification exam, technicians can also become trainers.

To be eligible to attend a technical vocational school, you must have at least a secondary school diploma (Hauptschulabschluss), have completed vocational training (at least two years) including a vocational school diploma, and have at least one year of professional experience. Alternatively: a secondary school diploma (Mittlere Reife) plus seven years of qualified work experience in a profession corresponding to the field of study.

The program can be completed full-time, part-time, or through distance learning. Full-time study takes two years (four semesters); part-time study takes correspondingly longer (three to four years). The final examination—the state exam—consists of four general education subjects, four specialized subjects, and a project.

Costs: Public schools are free of charge; exam fees may apply

General financial aid options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, Schüler-BAföG

A degree program leads to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and is completed at universities and universities of applied sciences. Academic training in business administration has become increasingly specialized—for example, in marketing, production, human resources, accounting, management accounting, or industry.

Admission requirements typically include a general or subject-specific high school diploma (Abitur/Fachabitur). However, it is also possible to gain admission through vocational qualifications (e.g., as a master craftsman) or by passing a corresponding entrance exam.

Costs: Tuition is free at public universities and universities of applied sciences, but fees apply for enrollment, student government, and the semester ticket.

Financial aid options: BAföG, scholarships

The State-Certified Business Administrator is a degree earned through a two-year full-time program (three to four years part-time) at technical colleges or vocational schools specializing in business.

Admission requirements typically include a secondary school diploma (mittlere Reife), completion of a commercial vocational training program, and at least twelve months of professional experience.

The comprehensive general education component of the foundational program allows students to earn the Fachhochschulreife (eligibility for admission to universities of applied sciences) after graduation by taking an additional exam. While State-Certified Business Administrators can generally pursue subject-specific studies at German universities of applied sciences and universities, their chances of securing one of the mostly restricted-access study places improve significantly with the supplementary exam for the Fachhochschulreife.

Building on the State-Certified Business Administrator qualification and the corresponding supplementary exam, students can begin a bachelor’s degree program at a university or university of applied sciences.

Costs: Free at public institutions; exam fees may apply

General financial aid options: BAföG for high school students, scholarships, Aufstiegs-BAföG

The Certified Business Administrator is an advanced commercial training program that concludes with an examination before a committee of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Together with the Certified Technical Business Administrator and the Certified Vocational Educator, the Certified Business Administrator represents the highest level of the IHK’s advanced training system.

The qualification can be obtained without a high school diploma or a college degree. The admission requirement for the nationally standardized exam is generally the successful completion of an IHK continuing education program to become a “Fachkauffrau” or “Fachwirt,” or a comparable business-oriented continuing education program, or proof of completed vocational training, a state-recognized examination at a commercial technical school, and at least three years of professional experience in a role relevant to the continuing education program.

The continuing education program is usually conducted through distance learning or part-time in the evenings and on weekends.

Costs: between 3,500 and 4,500 euros for the courses and 400 to 450 euros for the final exam at the IHK

General funding options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, scholarships

The Certified Technical Business Administrator is an advanced vocational training program under the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) designed to prepare individuals to work in companies across various economic sectors at the intersection of technology, production, and business administration. By combining technical and business management expertise, the Certified Technical Business Administrator program integrates two key areas of continuing education. This enables graduates to take on managerial and leadership roles within organizations.

The admission requirement for the nationwide examination is generally successful completion of an IHK advanced training program to become an industrial foreman, a comparable technical foreman’s examination, or state certification as a technician. Certification as an IHK Technical Business Administrator or as an engineer (including at least two years of professional experience) also qualifies candidates for admission.

Cost: 3,000 to 4,000 euros

Funding options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, scholarships

The Certified Business Administrator under the Crafts and Trades Code is an advanced training program above the master craftsman level and thus represents the highest level of training in the skilled trades. It is completed with an examination before a committee of the Chamber of Crafts. This program is particularly attractive for master craftsmen and women who are seeking an additional qualification in business administration. Certified Business Administrators in the Skilled Trades can run their own businesses as self-employed master craftsmen or take on management positions in small or medium-sized enterprises or organizations within the skilled trades sector.

The admission requirement for the nationally standardized examination is generally a master craftsman’s certificate in a skilled trade or a comparable qualification, such as a final examination in another recognized continuing education program with at least one year of professional experience. In addition, career changers from other industries or commercial and technical professions may also be admitted to the examination if they meet the relevant requirements. These include, for example: journeymen (who have passed Part III of the master craftsman examination or hold a Chamber of Crafts (HWK) certification as a skilled trade business administrator), industrial master craftsmen, technicians, graduate engineers, and office and industrial business administrators with two years of professional experience. The final decision on admission rests with the Chamber of Crafts.

The preparatory courses can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis or as an online course. A full-time course lasts approximately twelve weeks, while part-time or online courses can take up to two years. Participation in preparatory courses is not mandatory for exam registration. This qualification opens up many further opportunities, including pursuing a college degree.
 

Costs: vary depending on the Chamber of Crafts, ranging from approximately 3,000 to 4,500 euros plus exam fees (300 to 750 euros)

General funding options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, scholarships

This is a commercial continuing education degree awarded by administrative and business academies. As senior administrative specialists, business administrators (VWA) take on commercial and organizational management tasks—and, with appropriate professional experience, may also lead departments, branches, or teams. This qualification enables graduates to perform business or management tasks in corporate departments such as human resources, controlling, accounting, or materials management/production.

The continuing education program is designed to be completed while working and spans six semesters. Classes are held on weekends or in the evenings. Admission requirements include a secondary school diploma, a three-year commercial apprenticeship, and at least one year of professional experience. Master craftsmen and master artisans, as well as state-certified technicians, may also be admitted if they have worked for at least one year after passing their examination in a position that required business knowledge. In general, prior advanced vocational qualifications may be credited, leading to placement in higher semesters.

For high school graduates, the program can be completed as a dual study program. This requires an apprenticeship contract with a company. The program lasts three years. The program is not state-recognized. However, it can be extended to a bachelor’s degree through a two-semester postgraduate program at many academies, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
 

Costs: vary by provider, around 4,500 euros

General funding opportunities: Continuing Education Scholarship

Every company offering dual training must have at least one trainer who is certified in accordance with the Trainer Qualification Ordinance (AEVO). This qualification is obtained by successfully passing an exam administered by the professional chambers. Preparatory courses that provide the necessary legal, vocational, and pedagogical knowledge are also referred to as AdA (“Training of Trainers”). They are not mandatory for admission to the exams. It is also possible to complete trainer training at a university or vocational academy.

There are no specific prerequisites for taking the exam. However, passing the exam does not automatically qualify you to train others. To do so, you must also hold a training authorization. This is granted only to those who have completed vocational training or a college degree and whose company is registered with the relevant chamber.

Based on completed vocational training, successfully passing the trainer qualification exam qualifies you for admission to the advanced training program to become a Certified Training and Continuing Education Instructor.

Prerequisite: You do not need to meet any specific requirements to take the exam. However, passing the exam does not automatically qualify you to serve as a trainer. To do so, you must also hold a training authorization. This authorization is granted only to those who have completed vocational training or a college degree and whose business is registered with the relevant professional chamber.

Costs: Up to 200 euros exam fee

Funding opportunities: None

Vocational training and continuing education instructors identify a company’s qualification needs, plan in-house continuing education programs, coordinate and optimize learning processes, and support trainees and employees throughout the process. In addition, they develop and optimize exams and assessment systems, calculate the costs of vocational training programs, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational measures (educational controlling).

The qualification is state-recognized, valid nationwide, and equivalent to that of a “Fachwirt”—meaning it is at the “Meister” level. It grants access to higher education without a high school diploma. It can be followed by further advanced training to become a certified vocational educator.

Preparatory courses are offered on a full-time and part-time basis. They last between six and 24 months. Participation is not mandatory for admission to the exam. Admission requirements include a final examination in a recognized vocational training program lasting at least three years and at least one year of professional experience, or a final examination in another recognized vocational training program and at least two years of professional experience. In general, the exam must have been successfully completed in accordance with the Trainer Qualification Ordinance, or proof of a comparable vocational and workplace pedagogical qualification must be provided.

Costs: around 3,500 euros plus exam fees

General funding options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, scholarships

Vocational educator is a new advanced training profession. Vocational educators work in vocational education and training. Their responsibilities include organizing, introducing, and conducting training programs and vocational education processes. They may also work as external educators for companies in the fields of vocational training and continuing education, as well as in educational management, in leadership roles at educational institutions, and in the areas of human resources development and consulting. This continuing education program can also serve as a foundation for becoming self-employed.

Preparatory courses can be taken full-time or part-time; they typically last between 12 and 24 months and conclude with an exam administered by a Chamber of Industry and Commerce. These courses are not required for admission to the exam.

The admission requirement is proof of having successfully passed an exam as a Certified Training and Continuing Education Instructor, Business Administrator, or Master Craftsman (Skilled Trades/Industry)—plus one year of professional experience. Alternatively, a completed college degree or a completed, state-recognized technical college program—plus two years of professional experience. Another alternative is a successfully completed final examination in a recognized apprenticeship program—plus five years of professional experience. In general, a successfully completed examination in accordance with the Trainer Qualification Ordinance or an equivalent qualification is required.

Costs: starting at 4,500 euros plus exam fees

General funding options: Aufstiegs-BAföG, scholarships