After the federal certificate, we recommend the following further training for automation specialists:

• Courses offered by technical and vocational colleges and various associations, e.g. in the mechanical, electrical and metal industries, the food and pharmaceutical industries, etc.
• Higher technical college: qualified technician HF systems engineering (specialization in automation), qualified technician HF mechanical engineering (specialization in production technology) or qualified technician HF business processes (specialization in operating technology)
• University of Applied Sciences
• Degree programs in related fields: Bachelor of Science (FH) in Systems Engineering, Bachelor of Science (FH) in Mechanical Engineering or Bachelor of Science (FH) in Business Administration

Continuing education, further training as an automation specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education (FA) takes 4 semesters. It is completed on a part-time basis. Information can be obtained from the providers.

• Pharmaceutical industry
• Chemistry
• Metal industry
• Machinery industry
• Electrical industry
• Medical technology
• Watch industry
• Food industry
• Automotive industry

You should bring the following with you for an automation specialist course:

• Professional experience in the field of application of automation specialists
• Technical skills
• Interest in electronics, development and experimentation
• Sense for complex systems and tasks
• Independence
• Leadership qualities
• Responsible and reliable
• Knowledge of mathematics

Automation specialists have in-depth knowledge of technology and automation. They are involved as specialists in the planning and development of automated systems, machines and production systems, and are responsible for assembly, programming, commissioning, optimization and maintenance. They design functional specifications, test arrangements and test facilities, carry out test series and evaluate the measurement data. An automation specialist is also responsible for the design and construction of operating and testing equipment, for the use and programming of PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and for customer advice, sales and servicing of hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic and electrical components. He or she applies quality assurance measures and takes occupational safety and operational environmental protection into account. Automation specialists are independently responsible for smaller projects or take on a sub-area in large projects. They are responsible for meeting deadlines, execution and costs in their area of responsibility.

The final examination to become an automation specialist with a federal certificate is held at the end of the course and assumes that the participants have passed all the required modules. The final examination lasts 5.5 hours. It includes three written examinations - general automation, technology and project management.

Anyone wishing to be admitted to the Federal Professional Examination for Automation Technicians must have completed six modules at the relevant schools.
These modules are:

• Electronics
• Hydraulics and pneumatics
• Electrical drive technology
• Control technology
• Measurement, control, regulation
• Technical project management

It's worth getting information directly from the provider - quickly, easily and without obligation using our contact form or the "Ask a question" button.

Depending on your previous knowledge, the following preliminary courses may be useful before training as an automation specialist:

• Electrical engineering
• Electronics
• Computer application
• Mathematics
• German language course