Agricultural machinery mechanic

Agricultural machinery mechanic or agricultural machine technician (Austria) is the term for a craft occupation and apprenticeship with a focus on agricultural machinery . An agricultural machinery mechanic carries out maintenance, repair and modification work on vehicles, machines, devices and systems that are mainly used in agriculture and forestry , in horticulture, in municipal services and sometimes also in private areas.

education

The training content hardly differs in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, with the restriction that in Germany the job description also includes construction machine technology and the profession is therefore referred to as mechanic for agricultural and construction machine technology . In all three countries, training takes place in the dual system at vocational schools and at training companies, mostly repair shops or manufacturers.

Switzerland

The rapid development in the blacksmithing trade led to the professional designation of agricultural machinery mechanic being added to the professions of farrier and wagon blacksmith, as well as construction and vehicle blacksmith. On December 26, 1960, the first regulation came into force, in which the agricultural machinery mechanic appeared as a professional title. Since fewer and fewer companies carried out blacksmithing, a new set of regulations was created in 1976 in which only the agricultural machinery mechanic was involved. From 1991 to December 31, 2006, a set of regulations was in effect that divided the profession of agricultural machinery mechanic into three subgroups (main areas), agricultural machinery mechanic, construction machinery mechanic or power tool mechanic.

Job title

The Ordinance on Basic Vocational Training (BiVo) has been in force since January 1, 2007 and for the first time regulates all three of the above-mentioned basic training courses in a separate ordinance. The official name is agricultural machinery mechanic with federal. Certificate of Proficiency (EFZ). The training lasts four years and in three places of education are divided:

Places of education

Practical training : In the training company for an average of 4 days per week.

Theoretical training : In the vocational school for a total of 1575 lessons, of which:

professional education 920 lessons
general education 480 lessons
Physical education 175 lessons

Inter -company courses (üK) : In the course center, for 36–38 days of 8 hours, spread over the entire training period.

graduation

After successfully passing the qualification process, the graduate receives the federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) which entitles him to use the legally protected title of agricultural machinery mechanic EFZ.

Austria

Theoretical training at vocational schools in Austria sometimes takes place once a week or on a weekly basis.

Job title

In Austria, the official name for the apprenticeship is agricultural and construction machinery technology . The dual training lasts three and a half years and is regulated in the associated training ordinance.

requirements

The 9 years of compulsory schooling must have been completed to begin apprenticeship training. However, many companies only accept applicants who have completed a secondary school and / or polytechnic school. Personal requirements include manual dexterity, technical understanding, self-organization or problem-solving skills.

graduation

The training ends with the final apprenticeship examination . This is divided into a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical examination comprises the subjects of technical knowledge, technical arithmetic and technical drawing. The practical test consists of a technical discussion and an examination. According to the examination committee, three work samples should be produced for this test work. Related apprenticeships such as construction machine technicians , automotive technicians or toolmaking technicians can be completed with a shorter apprenticeship period. As in Switzerland, the final apprenticeship examination opens up access to master classes and other advanced training.

Germany

In Germany, construction machinery technology is an integral part of theoretical and practical training. While in Switzerland and Austria the training to become a construction machine technician is a separate training occupation, there is no formal separation in Germany (from 1942 to 2003 there was a training occupation only for agricultural machine technology). Any specialization depends on the main focus of the practice.

Job title

The job title is accordingly a mechanic for agricultural and construction machinery (agricultural machinery mechanic ) and is regulated in the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HwO). The training period is three and a half years.

In April 2013, an application discussion for renaming took place under the direction of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. From August 1, 2014, the job will be called "Agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics".

requirements

A specific school or professional education is not legally required. Successful applicants often have at least a secondary school certificate.

graduation

The final examination (industrial companies) or the journeyman's examination (craft companies) consists of two parts. Part 1 of the final or journeyman's examination takes place before the end of the second year of training. It consists of practical, oral and written assignments. In Part 2 of the examination, similar but in-depth tasks are given. This part takes place at the end of the training period and represents 70 percent of the total result.

further education

Switzerland

The federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) enables the owner to enter higher vocational training. For example, he can train to become an agricultural machinery workshop manager ( BP with a federal certificate) or, in addition, to become a master agricultural machinery mechanic ( HFP with a federal diploma ). Further options, see graphic.

Workshop manager

The agricultural machinery mechanic workshop manager (BP with federal certificate) has the necessary professional skills and knowledge to take on responsibility in the technical area, the promotion of subordinate staff and the training of apprentices. In addition to the EFZ, three years of professional experience and the master’s course are required for admission to the professional examination (BP). During the professional examination, candidates are tested in the areas of material processing, specialist work, specialist knowledge and workshop management.

The part-time training extends over 4 semesters and follows a coordinated concept between the vocational school and the course center. This ensures comprehensive, theoretical and practical preparation for the professional examination for agricultural machinery workshop managers in accordance with the regulations of the Swiss Metal Union (SMU) and the Association of Swiss Construction Machinery Manufacturers and Trading Firms (VSBM).

The holder of the certificate as an agricultural machinery workshop manager (BP with a federal certificate) is able to train to become a master machine mechanic (HFP with a federal diploma).

Professional examination (SMU, VSBM)
Preparation course for the professional examination 4 semesters, part-time
3 years of professional experience in the learned profession	equivalent training
Completed apprenticeship as an agricultural machinery mechanic

Master's examination

In the higher technical examination (HFP), the necessary skills and knowledge to independently run a specialist agricultural machinery company must be demonstrated. As a prerequisite for approval, in addition to the EFZ and professional examination, one year of professional experience as an agricultural machinery workshop manager is required.

The exam covers the following areas:

Finance and accounting
Correspondence
technology
Legal studies
Corporate governance
sale
Human Resources Management

In preparation for the HFP, various vocational schools offer a two-semester preparation course. Federally certified master agricultural machinery mechanics are highly sought-after specialists in various professions. The combination of well-founded mechanical basic knowledge combined with commercial understanding makes you desirable as operations manager, managing director or executive employee at importers or manufacturers.

Austria

After passing the final apprenticeship examination, training to become a master craftsman can begin in preparation courses. The master craftsman's examination facilitates access to independent professional practice (craft license), but is not absolutely necessary. For higher qualifications at colleges, technical colleges and universities in Austria you usually need the vocational matura (vocational maturity examination), which is made up of the final apprenticeship examination and four other exams.

Germany

Further developments in electronic control and measuring systems and the increase in mechatronic systems require mechanics for agricultural and construction machinery to be willing to undertake further training (usually in the form of courses). In order to be able to take the examination to become a master mechanic of agricultural machinery, preparatory courses or further training examinations must be taken. Mechanics for agricultural and construction machinery with a university entrance qualification can, for example, acquire a bachelor's degree in vehicle technology. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a higher education entrance qualification.