Career change as a metalworker

Career change paths

• Technical systems planner, steel and metal construction technology

  Also: CAD designer in metal construction

  With on-the-job training

  In design you draw stairs, railings, facades or steel components on the computer and create workshop plans and parts lists.

  What you bring:

  You read workshop drawings every day and know what can really be implemented in the workshop and on installation.

  How to get there:

  Some metal construction companies train experienced journeymen in design on the job (Einarbeitung), often with courses for the CAD software of a few weeks. A qualification of your own comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a technical systems planner (Technischer Systemplaner/Technische Systemplanerin), specialization steel and metal construction technology, which usually takes a good 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,717gross per monthMedian salary

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• Non-destructive testing inspector

  Also: Quality inspector in steel construction

  With on-the-job training

  In quality assurance you check components and welds with measuring tools and non-destructive methods and document the results.

  What you bring:

  You know welds, dimensional tolerances and typical manufacturing defects from your own work.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training in quality assurance (Einarbeitung), plus courses with an exam under DIN EN ISO 9712, usually one to several weeks per method and level. For the certificate you additionally need proven practice in the method. Testing bodies and larger steel construction companies hire skilled metal workers for this.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €4,177gross per monthMedian salary

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• Field technical advisor, metal construction systems

  Also: Application technician for profile and facade systems

  With on-the-job training

  At the system manufacturer or wholesaler you advise metal construction businesses and planners, train installers and help with technical problems and complaints.

  What you bring:

  You know profiles, fittings, fasteners and installation situations from practice and know what questions metalworkers have.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or wholesaler (Einarbeitung) with product training, usually for a few weeks to months. A journeyman certificate and driving license class B are generally expected, often also a master or technician qualification. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed sales agent you usually work only on commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Elevator installer

  Also: Service technician for elevator systems

  With on-the-job training

  At an elevator company you install elevators, service them and look for faults, and you additionally learn electrics and controls for that.

  What you bring:

  You install heavy components safely and exactly, read plans and work independently on changing construction sites.

  How to get there:

  Elevator companies hire metalworkers and other skilled workers and train them internally (Einarbeitung), usually over several months. This often includes a qualification as an electrically qualified person for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten). In service, standby duty and many trips to customers are usual.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Plant fitter

  Also: Industrial mechanic in maintenance

  With on-the-job training

  In the maintenance of an industrial company you repair and service machines and systems and keep production running, usually without installation outdoors.

  What you bring:

  You can weld, work metal and adapt and install components according to drawings.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training in maintenance (Einarbeitung), usually for a few months. You can add knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics and control technology in courses. In maintenance, shift work and on-call duty can be part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,563gross per monthMedian salary

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• Caretaker

  Also: In-house craftsperson

  With on-the-job training

  As a caretaker or in-house craftsperson at housing companies, municipalities or hospitals you keep buildings in good shape and take care of technology, grounds and winter maintenance (snow clearing).

  What you bring:

  You can repair and adjust gates, doors, railings and fittings and adapt metal parts on site.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the employer (Einarbeitung). The journeyman certificate is an advantage, and for heating and electrics, building services courses of a few weeks help. The work is usually less strenuous than in steel and metal construction, and on-call duty can come on top.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Master metalworker

  Also: Certified industrial foreman, metal

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a master craftsperson (Meister) you lead the workshop or production, plan jobs and staff and ensure quality and occupational safety.

  What you bring:

  You know production and installation in metal construction from the drawing to the installed component and know where time and material are lost.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the metalworker trade takes about one year full-time and 2 to 3 years alongside work. The alternative is further training as a certified industrial foreman, specialization metal (Geprüfter Industriemeister Fachrichtung Metall), usually about 2 years alongside work. Both can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with your journeyman or skilled worker certificate (Gesellen- oder Facharbeiterbrief); for the industrial foreman, the second exam part follows after another year of work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Little customer contact

  €4,781gross per monthMedian salary

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• State-certified mechanical engineering technician

  Also: Technician in steel and metal construction

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a technician you create designs and workshop plans, plan production and installation and look after customers and projects.

  What you bring:

  You understand structures, materials and manufacturing processes from the workshop and the construction site.

  How to get there:

  The vocational college for technology (Fachschule für Technik), specialization in mechanical engineering, at some schools also metal construction technology, takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Access is usually with a vocational qualification and at least one year of work experience; the federal state sets the exact rules.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends
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• Instructor in the metalworker trade

  Also: Instructor in a training workshop

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an instructor you work with trainees in the workshop and in courses and prepare them for their exams.

  What you bring:

  You are skilled in metalworking, welding and installation in practice and can demonstrate work steps well.

  How to get there:

  In the crafts, the route is the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the metalworker trade, which also includes trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). In industrial companies, under the Vocational Training Act, your skilled worker qualification, work experience and the trainer aptitude exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) are enough. Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Installation manager in steel and metal construction

  Also: Foreman for metal work

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an installation manager you lead installation crews on the site, plan material and lifting technology, coordinate with the site management and other trades and accept the finished work.

  What you bring:

  You know installation plans, lifting gear, connections and the course of steel, metal and facade construction sites from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  This usually follows the master craftsperson exam in the metalworker trade or technician training, both of which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted to the master craftsperson exam with the journeyman certificate. In some companies, experienced fitters take over installation management after long installation practice, also with on-the-job training. Travel and changing construction sites are part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €4,910gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.