What does a technical system planner actually do?
For technical systems to work, a number of factors are important: Ideas, concepts and above all: good planning. As a technical system planner, foresight is your speciality. You form the interface between the ideas of the engineers, the installation specialists and the assembly professionals. In this role, you know how all the subsystems of a large system should work together in the end and plan every small step along the way. You use CAD programmes to create construction and assembly plans based on specifications and designs. The systems you work with in your job will vary depending on which field you specialise in. You can choose between three different specialisations during your training as a technical systems planner: Electronic systems, steel and metal construction technology or supply and equipment technology.
These specialisations are available
In the Electronic Systems specialisation, you will spend a lot of time working with building plans. You will draw the route of cables and the positioning of electrical devices. Above all, you make sure that the projects you work on do not violate applicable standards.
In steel and metal construction technology, on the other hand, you draw steel and metal structures. As steel is a versatile material, the projects you work on are also very diverse. From bridges and construction cranes to factory buildings, anything is conceivable. Here, too, it is important to ensure that your projects comply with the applicable standards. You also ensure that the dimensions are correct and are responsible for the project documentation.
In supply and equipment engineering, you will ensure that the specifications of the development department are implemented within your company. To do this, you will also use CAD programmes to create models that are used in different phases of the development of buildings or systems. You will also work with tables and diagrams, for example to calculate the optimum cooling load of a production chain – i.e. how much energy needs to be used to cool down a room that has been heated by the systems.
Where are you needed?
As a technical system planner, the office is your main place of work and the PC is your work tool. In planning offices or construction companies, you will create drawings and calculations for a wide variety of projects. Which industry you end up in depends above all on your chosen specialisation. Depending on your specialisation, you can, for example, work in mechanical and plant engineering companies, in planning offices, in the construction industry or in the metal industry and in toolmaking.
What should you bring with you?
Your future training company would like you to have an intermediate school leaving certificate. But you can also impress with other qualities in your application. The ability to work in a team is appreciated, because as a technical system planner you will be working a lot with other people, such as engineers. A strong sense of accuracy is also useful. This helps you to create precise drawings. Or a good spatial sense that enables you to estimate dimensions and distances. An interest in technology and an enthusiasm for computer programmes are also plus points in your favour. If you have already tried out these skills as part of an internship or holiday job, all the better.
Your apprenticeship at a glance
- Duration 3.5 years
- Theory at vocational school, practice at the training company
- Specialist training from the 2nd year of apprenticeship
- Training content from technical and computer-aided drawing, materials science and creating parts lists to carrying out detailed designs and calculating components
- After your dual training in technical system planning, you can continue your education. For example, to become a technician in one of the three specialisations. With the dual training qualification in your pocket, studying at a university or university of applied sciences is also an interesting option. For example, you can choose from various degree programmes in the fields of engineering or electrical engineering, but a dual course of study in construction technology is also a sensible option for advancement