Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training

Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
www.recognition-in-germany.de
Precision machinist (m/f)
Competent authority in charge of
recognition procedure
Handwerkskammer Dsseldorf
Georg-Schulhoff-Platz 1
40221 Dsseldorf
Phone: (0211) 8795-0
Fax: (0211) 8795-110
E-mail: info@hwk-duesseldorf.de
www.hwk-duesseldorf.de
Professional Recognition
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED
The selected occupation is a so-called training occupation which is not regulated in Germany. You can also
practice this profession without a state licence.
You also, however, have the option of having your qualification assessed for equivalence with a German
qualification.
This delivers benefits
G The notice of equivalence you will receive is an official and legally secure document which confirms
equivalence of the foreign qualification with the relevant German reference qualification and confers the same
legal rights as a German qualification.
G Regardless of whether you obtain full or partial equivalence for your vocational qualification, the procedure will
make it easier for employers to evaluate your qualification. This will increase your chances on the jobs market.
G The assessment notice will assist you in making progress within your occupation.
Information on the procedure
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THEPROCEDURE?
You may apply for a procedure to investigate the equivalence of your vocational qualification if:
G you are able to show that you have completed a vocational qualification which was not obtained in Germany
and
G you wish to work in Germany.
It is not necessary to hold German citizenship or a residence permit for Germany in order to obtain recognition of
Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training
Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
your professional or vocational qualification. There is also no need for you to be resident in Germany at the time
when you apply. You may submit your application before entering the country from abroad. Prior to initiating a
recognition procedure, you should, however, clarify whether you are entitled to migrate to Germany in order to work
here.
For interested parties abroad Prior to initiating a recognition procedure, you should, however, clarify whether
you are entitled to migrate to Germany in order to work here. You can use the Migration Check service to
verify your status. Further information on starting work in Germany is available here.
Application forms for a recognition procedure are available on the Internet sites of the competent bodies or by
direct enquiry to the competent bodies themselves.
If you are an ethnic German resettler(an immigrant of German descent from the successor states of the
former Soviet Union and other Eastern European states), you may choose between the new procedure in
accordance with the Vocational Qualifications Assessment Law (BQFG) or the recognition procedure
pursuant to the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG). More information is available here. Your competent authority
will advise you on the details of the procedure.
WHAT FORM DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
G Your foreign vocational qualification is compared with a German vocational qualification.
G The competent authority examines whether there are significant differences between your foreign vocational
qualification and the German vocational qualification.
G As well as looking at your vocational qualification, it will also consider the occupational practice you have
gained in Germany or abroad.
G The procedure is subject to a charge. The relevant competent authority will provide information regarding
costs.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES?
G If your vocational qualification is recognised as possessing full equivalence, you will enjoy the same rights as
holders of the relevant German reference qualification.
G The partial equivalence of your qualification will be certified if there are significant differences between your
qualification and the German reference qualification. The assessment notice issued by the competent
authority includes a detailed description of your existing vocational skills and of the knowledge which is
missing. This is f assistance on the jobs market, facilitates targeted continuing training or second-chance
qualification and enables a new application to be made at a later point if appropriate.
WHICH DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
G Tabular summary in German of the training courses you have completed including previous occupational
activity if relevant
G Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
G Proof of vocational qualification
G Proof of your relevant occupational experience
G Evidence of other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training courses)
G A declaration that you have not previously submitted an application for assessment of equivalence
G Evidence of intention to work in Germany (does not apply to nationals of the EU/EEA/Switzerland and to
persons resident in the EU/EEA/Switzerland)
The competent authority may require certified copies of documents or the original documents themselves. Simple
copies of your documents may also suffice in some cases. Ask your competent authority.
You should submit German translations of your documents. Translations must be made by interpreters or
translators who are publicly authorised or certified in Germany or abroad. The competent authority may also decide
that no translations are needed. Ask your competent authority.
Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training
Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
G The competent authority will begin the equivalence assessment procedure when all documents have been
received in completed form.
G A decision will be made within 3 months of receipt of all documents. The decision deadline may be extended
on a single occasion in difficult cases.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROCEDURE?
G The procedure is subject to a charge. The fees for submitting an application range from 100 to 600. The
actual amount of the fee payable is based on the amount of time and expense incurred. This may vary from
occupation to occupation and from federal state to federal state.
G Costs of fees and other costs such as translation and certification of documents must in all cases be borne by
the applicants themselves. In some circumstances and on an individual case basis, these fees may be paid by
other bodies (e.g. German Social Security Code II and III ).
G If the required evidence cannot be submitted, it is possible for a skills analysis to be carried out ( 14 BQFG)
for the purpose of ascertaining occupational competences (e.g. via a specialist oral examination or work
sample). In such cases, an applicant may incur further costs.
G The competent authority may require fees to be paid in advance. Ask your competent authority.
G Prior to submitting an application, unemployed applicants or applicants registered as job seekers should seek
clarification from their local Employment Office or Job Centre whether the labour administration authorities will
meet the costs of the procedure. The labour administration authorities will only provide such support if it is of
the view that recognition of a foreign training qualification is necessary in order for the holder to be integrated
into the labour market. Adaptation measures such as continuing training courses or examination preparations
may also be funded in these cases.
Legal Basis
G Law to assess the equivalency of professional qualifications (BQFG)
G Crafts Code (HwO)
Counselling Services
See http://netzwerk-iq.de for a list of guidance services or click on 'Counselling'.
Occupational profile
Fields of work
Precision machinists mainly find employment opportunities in toolmaking, mould design and construction and
precision engineering. Employment is also frequently available in the electrical engineering sector. They may also
work in the maintenance departments of companies in various branches.
Publisher: Federal Institue for Vocational Education and Training
Funded through the "Integration Through Qualification - IQ" programme with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency.
Professional experience
G Carry out work assignments autonomously according due consideration to the relevant regulations and safety
provisions and on the basis of technical documentation and work orders, work as part of a team
G Procure information, plan coordinate and agree work with line managers, with colleagues and with upstream
and downstream functional divisions using German and English language technical terminology and
document work
G Initiate quality assurances measures and measures for health and safety at work and environmental
protection
G Plan and control work processes, check and evaluate work results
G Apply standards and guidelines to ensure product quality and assist in the continuous improvement of work
processes in the company
G Measure and test mechanical and physical values
G Manufacture workpieces and components using manual and machine production processes
G Develop and optimise programmes and operate numerically controlled machinery, equipment or plants
G Assemble, dismantle and commission machines, equipment, facilities, systems and plants including open and
closed loop control systems in the company and instruct customers
G Carry out maintenance work, detect errors and malfunctions and carry out routine repair works to machines,
equipment, facilities, systems and plants including open and closed loop control systems