Career change as a model maker

Career change paths

• CAD designer in tool and mold making

  Also: Detail designer

  With on-the-job training

  In design you draw tool components, electrodes and fixtures on the computer and derive production drawings and parts lists.

  What you bring:

  You read complex drawings and 3D models and know how tools are made and assembled.

  How to get there:

  CAD courses at training providers or software providers usually take a few weeks to months. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter approves it. You can start as a detail designer in your own company, and for independent design work employers often additionally expect the technician qualification.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,821gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• CAM programmer

  Also: CNC programmer in tool making

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a CAM programmer you create machining programs from 3D models, choose tools and strategies and simulate the processes before the machine runs.

  What you bring:

  You know milling, EDM and grinding, clamping devices and cutting values from practice at CNC machines.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training in the company (Einarbeitung), usually after some years at CNC machines, plus training on the respective CAM system with the software provider or training providers, lasting a few days to weeks. A course to become a CNC specialist at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or training providers makes the start easier if you have mainly worked conventionally so far.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,307gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Metrology technician

  Also: Quality inspector in the measuring room

  With on-the-job training

  In the measuring room you check components and tools with coordinate measuring machines and optical systems, create measuring programs and write inspection reports.

  What you bring:

  You work every day with tolerances in the thousandths range and confidently read drawings, fits and form and position tolerances.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training in quality assurance (Einarbeitung), usually for a few weeks to months. Equipment manufacturers and training providers offer courses in coordinate measuring technology, usually lasting a few days. The work is physically lighter than in the workshop, but shift work can be part of it.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,159gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Industrial mechanic in maintenance

  Also: Maintenance technician

  With on-the-job training

  In maintenance you service and repair production systems, make spare parts yourself and help with faults so that production keeps running.

  What you bring:

  You fit components precisely, assemble and repair them and know machine elements, hydraulics and pneumatics from tool making.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training in maintenance (Einarbeitung), often in your own company. Courses in hydraulics, pneumatics and control technology, lasting a few days to weeks, close gaps. For work on the electrics you need an additional qualification, for example as an electrically qualified person for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten). On-call duty and shift work are usual in maintenance.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,563gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Application technician for cutting tools

  Also: Technical advisor in field sales

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer or dealer you advise tool and mold makers, test tools on customers' machines, optimize cutting values and train users.

  What you bring:

  You know which milling cutters, drills, electrodes and standard parts prove themselves in tool making and why machining fails.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or dealer (Einarbeitung) with product training, usually for a few weeks to months. A metal trade, several years of CNC practice, a driving license class B and willingness to travel are expected, often also English. You can start in technical inside sales and later move to field sales.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Surgical instrument manufacturing worker

  Also: Fine machining specialist in medical technology

  With on-the-job training

  In medical technology you make, adjust and test surgical instruments, implants or precision mechanical assemblies, often in small quantities and under strict documentation rules.

  What you bring:

  You work with tolerances in the thousandths range, master grinding, EDM and fine machining and know tool steels and their heat treatment.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers of surgical instruments and precision mechanical medical technology, especially in the Tuttlingen area, give tool mechanics a few weeks to months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). You learn the rules for cleanliness and traceability of medical products in the company. Anyone who trained in the instrument technology field of application (Einsatzgebiet Instrumententechnik) finds it especially easy to connect.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,000gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Bicycle assembler

  Also: Service technician for e-bikes

  With on-the-job training

  In a bicycle workshop or at an e-bike dealer you assemble, service and repair bicycles and e-bikes, look for faults in the drive and electronics and advise customers.

  What you bring:

  You work skillfully with your hands, adjust devices and workpieces carefully and enjoy manual precision.

  How to get there:

  Bicycle dealers and workshops usually give manually skilled career changers a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), and manufacturer courses for e-bike systems often take only a few days. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a two-wheeler mechatronics technician (Zweiradmechatroniker/Zweiradmechatronikerin); as retraining (Umschulung) it usually takes about 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €2,764gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Specialist salesperson in sports retail

  Also: Salesperson in specialist retail for home accessories

  With on-the-job training

  In sports or specialist retail you advise customers, adjust equipment to fit and take on smaller service jobs in the workshop.

  What you bring:

  You know the materials, workmanship and quality of your products exactly and can explain what makes a good piece.

  How to get there:

  Specialist retailers usually give career changers a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the range and the till, and your workshop experience is an advantage there. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a sales assistant (Verkäufer/Verkäuferin) or, with enough work experience, from an external exam (Externenprüfung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €2,700gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Machine operator in plastics processing

  Also: Setter for injection molding machines

  With on-the-job training

  In plastics processing you operate and monitor injection molding, extrusion or molding systems, change tools and check the parts produced.

  What you bring:

  You know melting, casting, shaping and cooling of material and pay close attention to temperature and quality.

  How to get there:

  Plastics businesses usually give career changers a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on the systems, and shift work is usual. A qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a plastics and rubber technologist (Kunststoff- und Kautschuktechnologe/Kunststoff- und Kautschuktechnologin), which usually takes about 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,942gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Window dresser

  Also: Visual merchandiser

  With on-the-job training

  As a window dresser or visual merchandiser you design shop windows, sales areas and seasonal decorations for retail, restaurants or events.

  What you bring:

  You have an eye for colors, shapes and materials and like to create things that others enjoy.

  How to get there:

  Retail chains, decoration agencies and furniture stores often give creative career changers on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) directly, and a portfolio of your own work helps with the application. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a visual marketing designer (Gestalter/Gestalterin für visuelles Marketing), which takes 3 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,117gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Course leader for creative design

  Also: Lecturer at an adult education center

  With on-the-job training

  As a course leader you give courses in candle dipping, crafts or other arts and crafts at adult education centers (Volkshochschulen), family education centers, all-day schools or at company events.

  What you bring:

  You have mastered a craft full of tricks of the trade and can show and explain work steps patiently.

  How to get there:

  Adult education centers and training providers often deploy course leaders directly after a trial course, and courses in adult education take a few weeks. The work is usually freelance and suits better as a second source of income alongside employment.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €5,254gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Employee in sports equipment rental

  Also: Service employee in ski and bicycle rental

  With on-the-job training

  In the rental of a sports store, ski area or vacation region you hand out equipment, adjust it to the customers, take it back and keep the stock in good shape.

  What you bring:

  You adjust sports equipment properly, maintain edges, bases and bindings and advise on suitable equipment.

  How to get there:

  Rental stations usually give service technicians a few days of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), and jobs can be seasonal in ski or vacation regions. For a year-round job, businesses that combine winter sports and bicycle rental are suitable.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €2,680gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Signage technician

  Also: Employee for laser engraving and lettering

  With on-the-job training

  In signage technology you make signs, film lettering, engravings and digital prints for vehicles, shop windows and companies and install them at the customer's.

  What you bring:

  You work precisely with shapes, colors and materials and implement designs cleanly by hand.

  How to get there:

  Signage businesses give manually skilled career changers a few weeks to months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in software, plotters and engraving machines. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a sign and illuminated advertising maker (Schilder- und Lichtreklamehersteller/Schilder- und Lichtreklameherstellerin), which takes 3 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demanding

  €3,117gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Certified industrial foreman, metal

  Also: Department manager in tool making

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a master craftsperson (Meister) you lead a department in tool or mold making, plan jobs and staff, calculate tools and train new staff.

  What you bring:

  You build and modify stamping, bending and injection molding tools and know how manufacturing processes, tolerances and deadlines fit together in tool making.

  How to get there:

  You take further training as a certified industrial foreman, specialization metal (Geprüfter Industriemeister Fachrichtung Metall), at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), usually about 2 years alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With your qualification as a tool mechanic (Werkzeugmechaniker) you are admitted directly to the first exam part, and to the second after another year of work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €5,639gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• State-certified mechanical engineering technician

  Also: Tool designer

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a technician you design tools and fixtures, plan production processes or look after projects between customer, design and workshop.

  What you bring:

  You know tool structure, materials, heat treatment and manufacturing processes from your own work at the machine and workbench.

  How to get there:

  The vocational college for technology (Fachschule für Technik), specialization in mechanical engineering, 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
  View job

• Metalworking instructor in a training workshop

  Also: Training master

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an instructor you work with trainees in metal trades through basic training and projects and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You are skilled in filing, milling, turning, grinding and EDM and can explain and demonstrate work steps patiently.

  How to get there:

  With your qualification and work experience you generally meet the professional aptitude under § 30 BBiG. In addition you need trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung), which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses are optional and also available alongside work, and their length depends on the provider. In crafts that require a license, the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung) generally requires the master craftsperson exam for trainers. Full-time instructor jobs exist mainly in large industrial companies and training centers, which often also expect the master qualification.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Branch manager in specialist sports retail

  Also: Manager of a specialist store with a workshop

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a branch manager in sports or specialist retail you lead a small team, manage range, workshop and orders and are responsible for sales and customer satisfaction.

  What you bring:

  You know the workshop, customers and goods and can organize processes in the store well.

  How to get there:

  For branch management you need experience in sales; suitable further training is the exam as a certified senior retail specialist (Geprüfter Handelsfachwirt/Geprüfte Handelsfachwirtin) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Without commercial vocational training you are admitted after at least five years of work experience in retail, and with training as a sales assistant (Verkäufer/Verkäuferin) after two years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsLots of contact with people
  View job

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.