Would a career in software and IT be right up your street? But sitting alone in front of a screen all day is too boring for you? Then a dual apprenticeship in IT is just the thing for you. As an IT specialist, you will develop IT systems on the one hand and conduct training courses with your customers on the other. Exactly which tasks you take on depends on the specialization you choose during your training. You can choose to specialize in application development or system integration.

As an IT specialist in application development, you will be responsible for many programming tasks. Using various programming languages, you will develop software and adapt it to the individual needs of your clients. You will analyze existing programs using special diagnostic systems. Based on the results, you will optimize the programs and make adjustments to meet new requirements. You will also be responsible for project planning within your team to ensure that the development and optimization processes run smoothly.

System integration also revolves around software and computer programs. However, your work focuses primarily on the associated hardware. You plan computer systems, build them and set them up. For example, you will set up servers and network PCs with each other. You will then be available to answer any queries. And if there is a problem, you are there to help. This also includes replacing outdated hardware with new hardware so that your systems are always up to date.

Where are you needed? 

There is a great demand for IT specialists in the economy. Very few companies today can manage without a functioning IT system. A dual apprenticeship in IT therefore opens up excellent career prospects for you. You can work in small and medium-sized companies as well as internationally active companies. You also have endless possibilities in terms of industry: Companies in mechanical and plant engineering, aerospace, car manufacturers, robot producers or even hospitals, at the airport and in large banks are all options for you – you can follow your interests and are open to everything.

What should you bring with you? 

An interest in computers, networks and PC technology is of course a prerequisite in IT. An intermediate school-leaving certificate or university entrance qualification are also welcomed by training companies. However, other skills are also increasingly important. Particularly in IT, you will also have to deal with your team members and customers. This naturally requires communication skills and good verbal expression. After all, you need to be able to present complex issues in a simple and understandable way and to understand and correctly implement the wishes of your customers. But no matter where your strengths lie, whether in technology or communication: with enough commitment and willingness to learn, you will learn everything you need for a successful career in IT during your dual training.

Your apprenticeship at a glance 

• Duration 3 years
• Theory at vocational school, practice at the training company
• If you perform very well and have completed some previous vocational training, it is possible to shorten this to up to two years.
• Intermediate examination in the second year of training
• Training content from analyzing network infrastructures and integrating clients to protection requirement analyses, data management, processing service requests and cyber-physical systems

You come into play when a department’s internet is down or the telephone system in the office suddenly breaks down. Even if security cameras are to be installed on the company premises, you are in demand as an IT systems electronics technician. As a trained specialist, you will equip departments, buildings or entire companies with telephone systems or computer networks and the appropriate electronics. This is an enormously important task, because without IT, nothing works in modern mechanical and plant engineering.

Your projects always start with an inventory: What kind of system should be set up? As soon as you have clarified this question, you get to work. You order the necessary components for the new system. As soon as the components arrive, you prepare them for use. You not only take care of the software, but also the hardware. This means that you install operating systems on computers or application software for printers, telephone systems or monitoring and fire protection systems. On the other hand, you also install components or lay cables and lines. You also set up Wi-Fi networks or hotspots and ensure that the power supply is guaranteed. As soon as everything is up and running, you instruct your clients on how to use the system and explain to them what they need to pay attention to. However, with systems as complex as the ones you set up, questions or problems can always arise. If this is the case, you are on hand to deal with your clients‘ concerns. If it’s a technical problem, you use your measuring device to troubleshoot and fix the problem. As you can see, there is never a dull moment in IT system electronics.

Where are you needed?  

After your apprenticeship in IT system electronics, you can enter various industries. As already mentioned, IT system electronics technicians are needed in many modern mechanical and plant engineering companies. IT manufacturers are another option, but IT consultancies and IT service providers are also looking for specialists with your skills profile. Regardless of which company you choose, your day-to-day work will hardly be boring. In the morning, for example, you will repair electronic components in the workshop before driving to a client and providing training. As you can see, variety is guaranteed.

What should you bring with you? 

As an IT systems electronics technician, you will be working in a diverse profession, so you should also have a wide range of interests. For example, manual work and computer work. After all, your day-to-day work will involve both. This requires not only manual dexterity, but also abstract thinking. Another plus point for you is if you are able to explain complicated issues to your clients in an understandable way. This talent is at least as important for your dual apprenticeship as the intermediate school leaving certificate that most training companies want you to have.

Your apprenticeship at a glance

• Duration 3 years
• Theory at vocational school, practice at the training company
• Diverse training content from manufacturing, installation of devices and systems, fault diagnosis and customer advice to business processes and company organization
• After passing your final exam, you will be ready to start your career in IT system electronics. However, you still have the opportunity to continue your training. With a few years of professional experience under your belt, you can, for example, aim to become a master craftsman in IT system electronics. Or you can enrol on a degree course in electrical engineering, opening up new options for you.

As a mathematical-technical software developer, your job is to write programmes that your customers need. In more complicated terms, you learn to develop and programme solutions for a wide range of software challenges. To do this, you first talk to your clients to find out what your software should be able to do. Following the customer meeting, you will translate what you have discussed into mathematical formulae and algorithms. Then it’s time to get down to business, namely programming. Using various programming languages such as C+, Python or Java, you write a programme that does exactly what the customer wants. For example, software that analyses data from databases to create statistics. Or a programme that executes invoices in the accounting department. Or interfaces between different programmes. Once the code is ready, it’s time for the test phase. Here you check your software for errors and correct them. Of course, you document every step. Because it is important that your team can understand what changes you have made. After all, programming is above all a team effort. As soon as all errors have been eliminated, you deliver the finished programme. This includes training your clients in the operation and use of the software. You explain all the functions and are also available to answer questions afterwards. After all, hardly anyone knows the software as well as you do!

Where are you needed?

Software and IT are becoming increasingly important – in all industries and all over the world. That’s why a dual apprenticeship in mathematical-technical software development gives you the best prospects on the labour market. In addition to software manufacturers, more and more large companies and administrations are also looking for specialists for their IT departments. Universities and research institutions can no longer do without software developers who write programmes, for example to evaluate research data or collaborate with other institutions on the other side of the world. With the skills you acquire during your dual training as a mathematical-technical software developer, you will be ideally equipped for employment in these areas.

What should you bring with you? 

Mathematical-technical software development is a very tricky and demanding job. That’s why most training companies also want you to have a university entrance qualification. At the same time, the demand for trainees in the IT sector is very high, so you can also score points with other qualities. Perhaps you programme in your spare time or have already completed an internship in this field? You should also enjoy puzzling until you find the right solution to a problem. Patience is also required when searching for an error in your code. You should also have an interest in maths. Because as you probably know, calculations are the basis of every computer programme. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get an A in maths and you don’t have to know everything yet. During your apprenticeship, you will learn everything you need, including the things you didn’t understand at school.

Your apprenticeship at a glance

• Duration 3 years
• Theory at vocational school, practice at the training company
• Training content ranges from maths and statistics to databases, programming languages, documentation and project management.
• After the apprenticeship, you can continue your education in various directions. For example, you can gain additional qualifications in project management or database development, which will have a positive impact on your salary. Further training in software development will deepen your knowledge and prepare you for responsible tasks within your company. You can also enrol for a degree in computer science or mathematics to advance your career. Many software developers are also very successful with self-employment, as the demand for professionals for project work is also high.