Electronics Technician Ausbildung Guide
Short answer: Electronics technician Ausbildung (Elektroniker) takes 3.5 years and exists in two routes. The craft route has two specialisations, and the industrial route has five occupations. You learn to install, measure, program and repair electrical and electronic systems. Pay and exams differ by route, so check which one your employer offers.
Many guides treat “electronics technician” as one job. In Germany it is a family of occupations with two different training rules. This guide explains both, compares them in a table, shows how the exams work and tells you what to check before you apply. If you are also looking at related jobs, compare it with mechatronics. All 15 official fields are listed in our Ausbildung fields guide.
Electronics technician Ausbildung: two routes
| Point | Craft route (Handwerk) | Industrial route (Industrie) |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Elektroniker/-in | Five separate occupations |
| Choices | Energie- und Gebäudetechnik, or Automatisierungs- und Systemtechnik | Gebäude- und Infrastruktursysteme, Betriebstechnik, Automatisierungstechnik, Geräte und Systeme, Informations- und Systemtechnik |
| Length | 3.5 years | 3.5 years |
| Training rules | ElekAusbV, in force since 1 August 2021 | Regulation for the industrial electrical occupations, version of 28 June 2018 |
| Exam part 1 | In the fourth half-year, 30 percent of the final grade | Before the end of the second year, 40 percent of the final grade |
| Typical employer | Electrical trade firms, building services | Mid-sized and large industrial companies |
Many websites still describe the old craft rules of 2008, which had three specialisations. The 2021 regulation replaced them. If you read “Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik” as a craft specialisation, the page is out of date.
What does an electronics technician do?
According to BIBB, craft electronics technicians in energy and building technology analyse technical systems, measure electrical values, find and fix faults, install and commission devices, networks and energy systems, and check protective measures and data security. They also do recurring inspections and maintenance of building systems.
Industrial electronics technicians for devices and systems support developers, design circuits, assemble devices, install and configure software, test and maintain equipment, and write documentation. They sometimes work with English-language documents. They work mainly in mid-sized and large industrial companies, for example in vehicle electronics, medical technology, machine building and measurement and control technology.
Which route fits you?
| If you like | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Working at customer sites, wiring and fault finding in buildings | Craft route, Energie- und Gebäudetechnik |
| Controls, automation and systems in a trade company | Craft route, Automatisierungs- und Systemtechnik |
| Building and testing devices in a factory or lab | Industrial route, Geräte und Systeme |
| Keeping plant and machines running | Industrial route, Betriebstechnik or Automatisierungstechnik |
This table is a starting point from the job descriptions, not an official rule. Check the occupation name in the job advert, because it decides which regulation applies.
How the exams work
Both routes use a two-part final exam. Part 1 happens during training and counts toward your final result. See our guide to Ausbildung exams for the general picture.
| Route | Part 1 | Part 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Craft (ElekAusbV 2021) | Fourth half-year. A work task of 8 hours with a short discussion, plus 120 minutes of written tasks. 30 percent of the total. | Customer order 36 percent (16 hours, discussion up to 20 minutes), system design 12 percent, function and system analysis 12 percent (120 minutes each), economics and social studies 10 percent (60 minutes). |
| Industrial (2018 regulation) | Before the end of the second year. A complex work task of up to 8 hours, discussion up to 10 minutes, written tasks up to 90 minutes. 40 percent of the total. | 60 percent in total. Work assignment 50 percent, system design 20 percent, function and system analysis 20 percent, economics and social studies 10 percent (these are shares of part 2). |
In the craft route you must reach at least “sufficient” overall, in part 2 as a whole, in the customer order and in at least two other areas of part 2. You can ask for an oral supplementary exam of at least 15 minutes in some written areas. Industrial pass rules have extra conditions in the regulation, so ask your chamber.
What you learn
Both rule sets start with shared basics: labour law and training rights, safety and health at work, environmental protection, planning work, assembling and connecting electrical equipment, and measuring and checking electrical safety. After that, you follow the content of your own route or occupation. Your company must give you an individual training plan at the start. You attend the Berufsschule alongside the company training.
How to apply: 4 steps
- Choose the route. Decide between craft and industry, and read the German title in each advert.
- Check the entry points. Employers set their own school and language expectations. Ask each company before you apply.
- Prepare your documents. Follow our application guide.
- Compare the offers. Pay depends on the collective agreement or the company, see our salary guide.
Common mistakes
- Searching only for “electronics technician”. Search the German names too, or you will miss most adverts.
- Relying on old craft information. The 2008 rules were replaced in 2021.
- Mixing up the routes. Craft and industrial training have different exam weights.
- Ignoring maths and physics. The Berufsschule covers electrical theory, so prepare early.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the electronics technician Ausbildung?
It lasts 3.5 years (42 months) in both the craft and the industrial route.
What is the difference between Elektroniker for Betriebstechnik and Energie- und Gebäudetechnik?
Betriebstechnik is an industrial occupation. Energie- und Gebäudetechnik is a craft specialisation. They fall under different training regulations and exam rules.
Is an electronics technician the same as an electrician?
The craft route is recognised for the electrical trade (Elektrotechniker). Job titles vary by company, so rely on the official occupation name in the contract.
How many exam parts are there?
Two. Part 1 takes place during training, and part 2 at the end. Their weights differ between the craft and the industrial route.
Can I add extra qualifications?
The industrial regulation lists optional extras such as digital networking, programming and IT security. Ask your company whether it offers them.
Sources
- Elektronikerausbildungsverordnung (ElekAusbV) 2021, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Verordnung über die Berufsausbildung in den industriellen Elektroberufen, Neufassung 2018 (BIBB)
- BIBB, Elektroniker/-in Fachrichtung Energie- und Gebäudetechnik
- BIBB, Elektroniker/-in für Geräte und Systeme
Last updated: 1 Nov 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.