Jobs & Careers:

IT Specialist


Apprenticeship – where and how?

The training to become an IT Specialist takes 3 years and counts among the 4 new IT-Apprenticeships in the dual system (Germany’s vocational school and on-the-job training system).
For all of these vocations, the common core qualifications (training location, business and performance processes, organisation of work and techniques, IT products and markets, production and maintenance of system solutions) are taught and then complemented by vocation related qualifications.
IT Specialists are trained in one of two specialised tracks: Application Development or Systems Integration.
Application Developers are specialised for IT systems, databases and client-specific application solutions. Trainees in Systems Integration focus on – it’s all in the name - systems integration and service. More information, such as where an apprenticeship like this can be done, is available at the Employment Office, Jobs Centre, or in any training centre location.

Who is especially suitable?

As with all of the new IT Apprenticeships, there is no schooling or prior professional training needed to be approved to train as an IT Specialist. It is common, however, to have completed the GCSE’s or A-levels. As in every data-processing profession, all applicants should possess sufficient understanding of maths. When you consider that almost all professional terms in the IT world are English and many manuals and programme descriptions are only available in this language, a good grasp of English is crucial.

This is confirmed by Ralf Klasner, head of training for Lufthansa systems: "We almost exclusively employ people with A-levels. A prerequisite is Fachabitur (specialised higher studies like A-levels). We especially look for good marks in maths, German and English. We encourage it when applicants are involved in extra-curricular activities."
Frank Schröder, Apprentice at GFK in the track of System Integration gives his tips for apprenticeship seekers: "The grade in maths is not necessarily the deciding factor, but technical interest and understanding are important. The motto is: enjoy all the new things the IT business throws at us every day."

What should IT Specialists be able to do?

Because of the broad range of tasks involved, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the IT Specialists must be captivated not only by working with computers, but also in dealing with people.
Software solutions must be presented to the clients and an ability to communicate is essential in that case. For example, a client might be considering an upgrade of his company’s IT system. The IT Specialist now has to work out how all his specific requests and ideas can be realised with the other specialists in both hardware and software. So teamwork is important; for all the tasks have to be delegated.
The Application Developers busy themselves in the area of IT Systems with assessing the processor architecture and the development, adaptation and net integration of the software. Regarding customised application solutions, the curriculum includes topics such as software-based presentations, technical marketing, customised adaptations, and maintenance of the software. Additionally, the IT specialists are entrusted with special tasks in an appointed operational area, such as mercantile, technical, mathematical science, expert or multi-media systems. These special tasks require knowledge of products, processes and procedures and allow the independent planning, execution, control and quality check of various projects.
As a specialist for Systems Integration, you will be educated in topics like system configuration, networks, system solutions and the introduction of systems. Another area of the profession includes systems maintenance. Here users are supported, error analysis is practiced and faults are fixed.
Actual/target analysis in the area of hardware, operating and server software under cost consideration is something the IT specialist should be able to do in their sleep. What both tracts have in common is the focus on projects during the training: "In two of my finished projects so far I was able to develop a product: one was a Java Servlet that allows you to check information from a data warehouse over the Internet. In addition to the programming, the presentation of the product was one of my tasks", describes Christoph Fritz, trainee in the department of Application Development with Lufthansa Systems, one phase of his apprenticeship.

IT Specialist
Systems Integration Tract

IT Specialists on the Systems Integration tract plan and configure systems of information and telecommunications technology, for example, networked systems including hard- and software components. As in-house staff or working with a client, you will install these systems according to the customer’s requirements, run and manage them. This includes, in the case of a fault, the systematic location, isolation and resolution of errors with the help of expert and diagnostic system tools.

IT Specialist
Application Development Tract

IT Specialists on the Application Development tract know and understand business procedures. You are in the position to suggest required software solutions in-house or with a customer and to realise them. You test and adapt existing applications and develop user-friendly interfaces. You also resolve faults and advise and train users.


Requirements: Mittlere Reife/GCSE’s (FOS, Abitur/A-levels preferable)
Training duration: 3 years
Vocational school location: Bayreuth
Training structure: Block (alternating blocks of study and work)