Career change as a production worker

Career change paths

• CNC machine operator

  Also: CNC specialist, Machining mechanic

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  At CNC machines, you clamp workpieces, start and monitor programs, check dimensions and correct values.

  What you bring:

  You know production processes, measuring tools and working to drawings or specifications from production.

  How to get there:

  A course to become a CNC specialist at a training provider usually takes 3 to 6 months with practice and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). After that comes on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the company. A recognized qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a machining mechanic (Zerspanungsmechaniker/in), usually a good 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €3,923gross per monthMedian salary

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• Welder

  Also: MAG welder

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a welder, you join metal parts according to drawing, for example in steel construction, tank construction or vehicle manufacturing.

  What you bring:

  You work carefully with your hands, are used to shift work and keep to safety rules in the workshop.

  How to get there:

  A welding course at a training provider or welding training center takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on the process, and ends with a welder exam under DIN EN ISO 9606-1. It is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The test certificate must be confirmed or renewed at fixed intervals.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,647gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality inspector

  Also: Quality assurance employee in production

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In quality inspection, you measure and test parts with measuring tools or testing devices, document results and block faulty goods.

  What you bring:

  You see every day how parts are made, where errors occur and which parts are scrap.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the company, often after some time in production. Courses on measurement technology or quality inspection of a few days to weeks help. Accuracy and good German skills for the documentation are expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €4,159gross per monthMedian salary

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• Forklift driver

  Also: Intralogistics worker

  With on-the-job training

  As a forklift driver, you bring material to the machines, pick up finished goods and load trucks.

  What you bring:

  You know the routes in the hall, the material supply of the lines and the safety rules in the company.

  How to get there:

  You need a forklift license under DGUV Principle 308-001 (DGUV Grundsatz 308-001). The course usually takes 1 to 3 days, followed by an introduction at the company. The course is partly funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein), and companies can also train their staff themselves.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,198gross per monthMedian salary

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• Vehicle assembly worker

  Also: Machine fitter

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In the assembly of vehicles, machines or components, you put assemblies together according to work instructions, check them and, after on-the-job training, take over several stations.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably to the cycle, keep to specifications and safety rules and handle tools confidently.

  How to get there:

  You can start with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) of a few days to weeks, often first through temporary agency work. Shift and cycle work are usual. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a production mechanic (Fertigungsmechaniker/in), 3 years. You can also do it as retraining (Umschulung) or, after 4.5 years of practice, through the external exam (Externenprüfung) (§ 45 para. 2 BBiG).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,644gross per monthMedian salary

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• Injection molding machine operator

  Also: Machine operator at extrusion plants

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  At injection molding or extrusion plants, you monitor production, remove and check parts, change material and fix minor faults.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes in production, check parts for defects and work reliably in shift operation.

  How to get there:

  Plastics companies train helpers as machine operators, usually in a few weeks. Shift work is usual. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a plastics and rubber technologist (Kunststoff- und Kautschuktechnologe/Kunststoff- und Kautschuktechnologin; until 2023 Verfahrensmechaniker/in für Kunststoff- und Kautschuktechnik), 3 years. You can also do it as retraining (Umschulung) or, after 4.5 years of practice, through the external exam (Externenprüfung) (§ 45 para. 2 BBiG).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €2,950gross per monthMedian salary

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• Plant operator for automated production lines

  Also: Robot operator

  With on-the-job training

  At automated lines and robot cells, you monitor production, set programs and parameters, fix minor faults and ensure quality.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with control panels, parameters and fault messages and keep several processes in view at once.

  How to get there:

  Industrial companies give experienced machine operators on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at automated plants. Courses on robot operation and programming at manufacturers or training providers take a few days to weeks. Shift work is usual.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,941gross per monthMedian salary

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• Machine operator at CNC machining centers for wood

  Also: Machine setter in furniture manufacturing

  With on-the-job training

  At CNC machining centers in the furniture and wood industry, you set up machines, load programs, change tools and check dimensions and surfaces.

  What you bring:

  You know edge banding and cutting machines and know how panel material is processed.

  How to get there:

  Furniture and wood companies give machine operators a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at their machining centers. Courses on CNC technology take a few weeks. If needed, retraining (Umschulung) as a wood processing mechanic (Holzbearbeitungsmechaniker/in) gives you a recognized qualification.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €3,282gross per monthMedian salary

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• Machine and plant operator in packaging

  Also: Machine operator at packaging and filling plants

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  At packaging and filling plants, you set up formats, reload material, monitor the machine and fix minor faults.

  What you bring:

  You know packaging materials, labels and the requirements for clean packaging from manual work.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a machine operator with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the company, usually lasting a few weeks. Shift work is usual. You can also reach the qualification as a machine and plant operator (Maschinen- und Anlagenführer/in; training 2 years) through retraining (Umschulung) or as an external exam (Externenprüfung) under § 45 para. 2 BBiG.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,941gross per monthMedian salary

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• Pharma production worker

  Also: Pharmaceutical production operator

  With on-the-job training

  In pharmaceutical or chemical production, you make products at plants, pack them under cleanroom conditions and document every step.

  What you bring:

  You work exactly to specifications, check batches, quantities and labels and keep to hygiene rules.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a production worker with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and training in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Shift work is usual. A qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a pharmaceutical production operator (Pharmakant/in), usually a good 2 years, or as a chemical production specialist (Produktionsfachkraft Chemie), usually about 16 months. Both are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €4,942gross per monthMedian salary

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• Nursing assistant

  Also: Nursing assistant in elderly care

  With on-the-job training

  In nursing, you support qualified nurses with personal hygiene, eating and moving around, and you are there for people who need help.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably in a team, keep to fixed routines and hygiene rules and are used to physical work.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a nursing assistant after a basic nursing course (Pflegebasiskurs) of a few weeks. For a qualification, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as a nursing assistant (Pflegefachassistentin/Pflegefachassistent). From 2027 this training is uniform nationwide and usually takes 18 months full-time, with training pay.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,296gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lead hand

  Also: Shift leader, Industrial foreman (Industriemeister)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a lead hand or shift leader, you assign people, make sure things run smoothly and are the first contact when faults occur.

  What you bring:

  You know the work at the line, the colleagues and the typical problems in the shift first-hand.

  How to get there:

  This usually happens in stages, via lead hand work (Vorarbeit) or shift leadership after some years at the company. The upgrading course to become a certified industrial foreman (Geprüfte/r Industriemeister/in), for example in the field of metal, is possible part-time alongside work and is eligible for Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Without a vocational qualification, you are admitted to the first part of the exam after 4 years of work experience, and to the second part after another year.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €5,304gross per monthMedian salary

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• Industrial mechanic

  Also: Maintenance technician

  With retrainingPromotion

  As an industrial mechanic, you maintain plants, install assemblies and find faults yourself.

  What you bring:

  You know the machines in your company, notice when something runs differently and have often already helped with maintenance and changeovers.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as an industrial mechanic (Industriemechaniker/in) usually takes a good 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The regular vocational training takes 3.5 years. Some companies also offer helpers training in-house.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,205gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse specialist

  Also: Warehouse logistics specialist

  With retraining

  In the warehouse, you take care of goods receipt, storage, picking and supplying production with material.

  What you bring:

  You know material flow, containers, labels and piece counts from production and work neatly to specifications.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as a warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist/in) usually takes about 16 months, and as a warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) usually 2 years. Both are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein), and the forklift license is usually included.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

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• Electronics technician for operations technology

  Also: Electrician in maintenance

  With retraining

  As an electronics technician for operations technology, you install, test and repair electrical systems, drives and controls in industrial companies.

  What you bring:

  You know the sensors, drives and controls of your plant from the operating side and want to understand how they work.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as an electronics technician for operations technology (Elektroniker/in für Betriebstechnik) usually takes a good 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Electrically qualified persons (Elektrofachkräfte) work in industry and energy technology.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,377gross per monthMedian salary

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• Professional driver

  Also: Truck driver in local transport

  With further training

  As a professional driver, you transport goods between plants, warehouses and customers, load and unload your vehicle and plan your route.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably, carefully and independently and handle heavy loads and load securing confidently.

  How to get there:

  You need a driving license class C or CE and the basic qualification as a professional driver (Grundqualifikation), usually in a few weeks to months at a driving school. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the employer can cover the costs.*Regulated by law (Driving License Ordinance (FeV) § 6, Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG) §§ 2, 3, Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV) § 2).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demanding

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

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• Security guard

  Also: Property protection worker

  With further training

  In the security service, you guard company premises, warehouses and buildings, check access points and vehicles and do inspection rounds.

  What you bring:

  You work reliably, often in shifts, and follow specifications and procedures exactly.

  How to get there:

  Briefing under § 34a GewO (Unterrichtung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) takes at least 40 teaching hours. You also need German skills at least at level B1 and a reliability check by the authority. For inspection rounds in publicly accessible areas or admission to discos, you need the expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) at the IHK instead.*Regulated by law (Trade Regulation Code (GewO) § 34a, Security Services Ordinance (BewachV) § 6).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €3,200gross 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.