Apprenticeship as an agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician
‘I enjoy troubleshooting.’, Richard, apprentice at Streicher Tief- und Ingenieurbau Jena GmbH & Co. KG
What do you learn in your apprenticeship and how does it work?
In the morning I get a work order, usually to repair a machine. Then I go troubleshooting and replace the faulty parts. Sometimes we also make the spare parts ourselves. Vocational training itself takes place in the dual system, alternating between school and practical training and regular courses, and lasts a total of three and a half years.
What qualities and talents do you need for this job?
Definitely manual dexterity, logical thinking and spatial awareness. You should also be good at maths. And physics also helps if you have to deal with load-bearing or rotating parts, for example.
What do you particularly enjoy about your work?
I enjoy it when I can repair a part right from the start, cut the material to size, weld it, actually
the entire work process from start to finish. I also find troubleshooting exciting. It’s also nice when I can make a suggestion as to how this fault can be avoided in the future. And it’s varied – I like that too.
Where can you work after your apprenticeship and what further vocational training opportunities are there?
I can actually work anywhere where construction and agricultural machinery is used. That’s a big area, so you have a good chance of finding something on the labour market. After three years of professional experience, you can
master craftsman. You can study various technical subjects such as production engineering and mechanical engineering.
Facts and figures on training as an agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician
- Duration of the apprenticeship: 3.5 years
- Prerequisites: Secondary/secondary school leaving certificate
- Apprenticeship salary: between € 650 and € 1150
Alternative apprenticeships
- Two-wheel mechatronics technician (FR bicycle technology or motorbike technology),
- Vehicle painter,
- Bodywork and vehicle construction mechanic (FR bodywork maintenance technology or
bodywork and vehicle construction technology)