Mabz1

Hallo!!

I am a 17th edition qualified electrician and i recently moved to Germany. My German was not the best and i have completed some intensive courses and managed to up my German level to a reasonable standard, but by no means fluent. Now i want to begin my search for work( while i still learn the language) and i'm just after a bit of advice. I would like to know:

Are my qualifications recognized over here? if yes how do i go about doing this?

Are German standards similar to in the UK?

is it possible to find a job as an electrician without being fluent in the German language? will anyone hire an Englishman here over a German?

I'm after any info regarding this matter, any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

Moses2013

I found the following:
Nicht-reglementierte Berufe sind insb. die rund 350 Ausbildungsberufe im dualen System. Ein Ausbildungsberuf ist eine berufliche Tätigkeit, die durch Ausbildungsordnung bundeseinheitlich geregelt ist und die im dualen System, an den beiden Lernorten Betrieb und Berufsschule, erlernt wird. Ist der Beruf in Deutschland nicht staatlich reglementiert, kann man sich mit der ausländischen Qualifikation direkt auf dem deutschen Arbeitsmarkt bewerben oder sich selbständig machen. Zu diesen Berufen zählen u.a.
Kaufmann/frau im Einzelhandel, Industriemechaniker, Kfz-Mechatroniker, Elektriker
juristische Fachangestellte, Steuerfachangestellte
Medizinische und zahnmedizinische Fachangestellte

As an Electrician you can basically work with your foreign qualifications, or start your own business. One thing I can say is that the standards are higher , because all Germans do their Ausbildung, which is 3 years working in a company and going to school. Is it possible to get a job? Your biggest challenge will be the language but here a link. Stellenangebote, Jobs, Jobsuche I have a friend who is an electrician and moved to the UK for more money, so I can't say what the salaries would be these days. Would be interesting to know though.

Assanah

Here are a few links:

First one is in English. It will lead you to the competent authority - it might be good (even if not legally required) to get your education recognized to be able to show an official document to a possible employer. Germans love certificates and official papers:

Recognition Finder - Home

You can also get a consultation for free. Here is a link which shows the organisations that you can contact. You have to click on the map to find the organisation closest to you. Just send the organisation an email and get an appointment. They are helpful:

Netzwerk Integration durch Qualifizierung (IQ) - Arbeitsmarktchancen von erwachsenen Migrantinnen und Migranten in Deutschland verbessern

This is a list of occupations in demand in Germany (English translation at the bottom):
Gesuchte Berufe

It looks like electricians are in demand! So your changes should be good if your German is OK. Good luck and enjoy the adventure

Assanah

BTW, I don't think you can start your own business. I am not sure but I think you would need to do the Meisterprufung.

Moses2013

@Assanah, see what I wrote:
Ist der Beruf in Deutschland nicht staatlich reglementiert, kann man sich mit der ausländischen Qualifikation direkt auf dem deutschen Arbeitsmarkt bewerben oder sich selbständig machen. Zu diesen Berufen zählen u.a.
Kaufmann/frau im Einzelhandel, Industriemechaniker, Kfz-Mechatroniker, Elektriker
juristische Fachangestellte, Steuerfachangestellte
Medizinische und zahnmedizinische Fachangestellte

So as an Electrician you can be self employed with your international qualifications.

Assanah

I am not sure if that is correct. There are many misinformation on the internet. I found this:
Die Ausübung folgender Gewerbe ist auch nach der Änderung der Handwerksordnung an einen Meisterbrief gebunden (Anlage A HwO):

Maurer und Betonbauer
Ofen- und Luftheizungsbauer
Zimmerer
Dachdecker
Straßenbauer
Wärme-, Kälte-, Schallschutzisolierer
Brunnenbauer
Steinmetzen und Steinbildhauer
Stukkateure
Maler und Lackierer
Gerüstbauer
Schornsteinfeger *)
Metallbauer
Chirurgiemechaniker
Karosserie- und Fahrzeugbauer
Feinmechaniker
Zweiradmechaniker
Kälteanlagenbauer
Informationstechniker
Kraftfahrzeugtechniker
Landmaschinenmechaniker
Büchsenmacher
Klempner
Installateur und Heizungsbauer
Elektrotechniker
Elektromaschinenbauer
Tischler
Boots- und Schiffbauer
Seiler
Bäcker
Konditoren
Fleischer
Augenoptiker *)
Hörgeräteakustiker *)
Orthopädietechniker *)
Orthopädieschuhmacher *)
Zahntechniker *)
Friseure
Glaser
Glasbläser und Glasapparatebauer
Vulkaniseure und Reifenmechaniker
_________
*) Außer in diesen sechs Berufen können sich erfahrene Gesellen auch in den zulassungspflichtigen Handwerken selbständig machen, wenn sie sechs Jahre praktische Tätigkeit in dem Handwerk vorweisen können, davon vier Jahre in leitender Position.




That is what the law says (Handwerksordnung). I assume of course that an Elektrotechniker is an electrician. It would make sense to control electricians more than painters as the electrical work done wrong can be dangerous. However, I am not an expert. So I would recommend to talk to the Handwerkskammer first because if you are self employed without a required Meister or the necessary experience a big, expensive hammer will land on your head.

Mabz1

Hey guys

Thanks so much for all the information you have posted here, i will check out all the links you have supplied me with! once again thanks!!! all comments so far have been a big help!!
Keep em coming! @moses2013 - the normal hourly rate for an electrician in England is round about £13.50. about 16.50 euros before tax.

fuchs01

Correct. Or 5 years, where last 1 yr 18 months were directed to equivalant to
master and technical elec.engineer.
I was a qualified m/c builder toolmaker, not with 3 yrs but 5 yrs, in Uk that at the time
ran parrallel to German mech/tech engineering levels.
Mine was college not uni time, but today, most likely uni qualli maybe necessary.
Depends on papers.
electricians can have bundesland quallies, and not sign off work in other 'shires'
still work internationally
Others have German wide quallies,and sign off 'meister' completed work.
Ditto for many technicsl mechanical skilled proffessions.

calman014

Theoretically the Meisterprüfung is required, but this conflicts with the EU regulations on free movement. You will find plenty of (for example) Polish and Eastern European tradesmen working in Germany, most of whom have a smidgen of German and certainly no "Meisterbrief".. continue to brush up your German and see if there is a technical college or something with courses for electricians. You will find the methods, materials, fittings etc differ quite a bit, but the most important aspect is learning all the technical terminology.

See if a local electrician will allow you to tag along or something..that kind of experience is invaluable.

Good Luck!

Moses2013

Yes, as I mentioned above:
Ist der Beruf in Deutschland nicht staatlich reglementiert, kann man sich mit der ausländischen Qualifikation direkt auf dem deutschen Arbeitsmarkt bewerben oder sich selbständig machen. Zu diesen Berufen zählen u.a.
Kaufmann/frau im Einzelhandel, Industriemechaniker, Kfz-Mechatroniker, Elektriker
juristische Fachangestellte, Steuerfachangestellte
Medizinische und zahnmedizinische Fachangestellte

Und wenn der Beruf nicht reglementiert ist?
In diesem Fall ist eine behördliche Anerkennung gesetzlich nicht erforderlich, d.h. Sie können sich mit Ihrer ausländischen Qualifikation direkt auf dem deutschen Arbeitsmarkt bewerben oder selbständig machen. Dennoch kann eine Anerkennung oder Bewertung Ihres ausländischen Abschlusses sinnvoll sein, um künftigen Arbeitgebern eine bessere Einschätzung Ihrer Qualifikation zu ermöglichen. Sofern Sie ein Hochschulstudium absolviert haben, können Sie eine Zeugnisbewertung durch die Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) in Anspruch nehmen.

Assanah

Hold on. The free movement allows you to freely move into another country and practice your profession under the same requirements than the natives. So if a German in Germany is required to do extra classes and course to be a self-employed whatever a Brit will have to have the same qualifications as a German. And as it is there are regulated professions and you cant simply walk into Germany and practice them. You need to get your qualifications recognized. This is regulated by European Union law. And a managing electrician is regulated. Regulated profession - Elektrotechniker (electrician) (Germany)

Anyhow, are you sure that the Polish were self employed electricians? Or were they working for somebody else who maybe has a Meister?

Well, as I said I am not expert but the issue seems to be complex. I would talk to the IHK.

fuchs01

The poles, Eastern europeans actually might have the same high certificates and quallies.Including 'Meister certificates'
That said some do come to Germany with high level qualifications, without 'Meister',
will do the mapping, planning, and bulk cabling, but there will be a meister behind them ready to sign off.
THE meister will not be slipshod or lazy, the controllers are around, in the factories,and on sites.So even for the semi skilled, theres that automatic improvement and upgrade
of working in expected high standard enviroments.
I would just add something, here.
Germany always respected their tradesmen and protected them and their trade through land/country laws. The English govt and businesses in contrast sh#t on them
hence large braindrain and the idea of a 6 month to 2year certificate to be skilled
conned many.British mech/tech tradesmen even in Germany were sort after, then a
lowering of standards and apprenticeships killed that off and damaged generations
of young English talent.Thankfully there were some companies that kept the old school going.
There were too many morons who believed Estate agents were more important than
the skilled tradesman needed to build the house, or the ship, or the m/cs.
Never happened in Germany.

Assanah

Hopefully this wont happen in Germany. But who knows. There have been attempts to impose the Anglo Saxon model of the so called service industry on Germany.

fuchs01

Now I am worried...Anglos and Saxons are German, brothers have history of
fighting each other, but still keeping up family traits.

Fabe1180

Hello i need électrician in berlin