Electrical Energy Systems Diploma dual study program (KIA)

KIA is a dual university degree program with a degree in engineering (FH) after 5 years - with integrated vocational training (including IHK/HWK qualification). It combinestheory and practice very intensively , creates an early bond with the future company and is therefore recommended by the state government of the Free State of Saxony and expressly demanded by companies.

Our future KIA students apply to a company cooperating with the university up to one year before the start of their studies, have the university entrance qualification (preferably an advanced course in physics and mathematics), have an interest in scientific problems and have the necessary mobility.

The companies conclude a cooperation agreement with the university and contracts for practical vocational training (vocational training contract or internship contract) or - in the case of _KIApro- a qualification contract with the applicants.

After concluding a training contract or internship contract with the company, you still have to register at the university with your university entrance qualification (usually Abitur) - this is possible from mid-May.

The degree course usually begins on 01.09. with a 4-week practical training period at the company. Depending on the degree course, you will then complete one to three semesters at the university.(Course of study)

The study-free periods between the semesters are reserved for practical training in the company. The training in the company takes place during the basic studies according to the study schedule (e.g. in a 4-week rotation between the company and the university) and ends with the examination before the responsible chamber (IHK or HWK). Separate vocational school lessons are not provided. The theoretical vocational knowledge required for the vocational training is taught through the scheduled lectures and additional "vocational specifics" courses at the university. During the practical training period, you will be entitled to the collectively agreed vacation and will receive amonthly salary from the company, which is based on the salary for apprentices. 

After completing the vocational training, the remaining semesters are completed as full-time studies with part-time work (often with a study sponsorship agreement from your company) and end with the desired university degree (Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) or Bachelor).

For accommodation at the study locations Görlitz and Zittau, halls of residence are available; we have also pre-reserved shared rooms for you in the  KIA houses .

1st - 5th semester (2½ years; 3 semesters): Basic studies in electrical engineering

• Engineering fundamentals in mathematics, physics, mechanics,
• Fundamentals of electrical engineering, measurement technology, computer science
• Business fundamentals, foreign languages, general science fundamentals)

from 6th semester (4th semester): subjects specific to the field of specialization

7th semester (5th semester): Practical semester

10th semester: final thesis and its defense at the university or in a company

The following fields of study are possible for the Electrical Energy Systems degree program:

Alternative 1: Specialized studies - Regenerative Energy Systems

• Electrical systems and grid technology (electrical energy systems, electrical grids, high-voltage technology, protection and grid technology, diagnostics and monitoring)
• Electric power generation (solar energy technology, wind and hydropower, energy and power plant technology, storage technology/electromobility)
• Intelligent communication technology in electrical energy technology (control systems/industrial data communication, communication networks, building automation/energy management) 
• Intelligent grids and systems

Alternative 2: Specialized studies - intelligent grids and systems

• Electrical systems and grid technology (electrical energy systems, electrical grids, high-voltage technology, protection and grid technology, operation of smart grids, energy and power plant technology, loads in energy systems, diagnostics and monitoring)
• Electric power generation (PV, wind and hydropower, energy and power plant technology)
• Intelligent communication technology in electrical energy technology (control systems/industrial data communication, communication networks, building automation/energy management) 

You go through two phases:

• Phase I comprises the first 2.5 years of study. After half a year of study at the university, you will alternate between the university and your training company every 4 weeks for the following 2 years. At the university, you will attend lectures and tutorials on the automation and mechatronics course, while at the training company you will acquire practical vocational skills. At the end of this training phase, after just 2.5 years, you will have passed the examination at the IHK/HWK and have your first state-recognized vocational qualification in your pocket. Our KIApro students use the training periods provided for KIA in the company for professional assignments in their company.
• Phase II (from the 4th semester) starts with the continuation of your studies in your degree program. This means that you complete a "normal" full-time course of study. You will complete this after a further 2.5 years with a degree in engineering (FH).

• General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or admission test.
• Applicants with a qualification as a technician, business economist, master craftsman or similar. Completion of advanced vocational training in accordance with §17(3) of the SächsHSFG must take part in a counseling interview for general university admission.

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Electrical system fitters assemble, install, maintain and repair systems for energy supply technology, control and regulation technology, electronic signaling technology, safety technology and lighting technology.

Electrical system fitters work in electrical installation companies. They also work in energy supply companies. Manufacturers of electrical systems and components or industrial process control equipment are also potential employers. There are also employment opportunities in the maintenance of rail traffic control and safety systems

Source: arbeitsagentur.de BERUFENET

The company is still keeping the choice of training occupation open. It is only certain that it will be an electrical profession.

Job description

Chamber: HWK

Electronics technicians specializing in energy and building technology plan and install electrical energy supply and infrastructure systems for buildings. Their activities include assembly, commissioning, maintenance and repair.

They are primarily employed in electrical engineering companies. They also find employment in companies in the real estate industry, e.g. in facility management or janitor services. Manufacturers of electricity distribution and switching equipment or power generation plants such as wind turbines open up further fields of activity.

Source: BerufeNet

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Electronics technicians for automation technology integrate automation solutions in production, process, transport and building technology. In advance, they analyze functional relationships and process sequences and design modifications and extensions. They install and parameterize drives as well as measurement, control and regulation equipment. They also install, configure, program and adjust sensor, operating and bus systems as well as networks,

operating and bus systems as well as networks. They integrate the installed components and devices and integrate them into higher-level systems. After test runs, they hand over the systems and instruct users in their operation.

Their tasks also include the maintenance and regular testing of systems, fault analysis using test software and diagnostic systems as well as the repair of systems. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.

Electronics technicians for automation technology work in companies that develop and manufacture or use automation solutions. In particular, companies in the plant and mechanical engineering sector come into consideration. However, there are also jobs
in the automotive industry, the chemical industry and the metallurgical and semi-finished products industry. They work in factory halls, at control stations and in a wide variety of production facilities. In customer service, they work at different locations, sometimes outdoors.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Whether electrical power supply, industrial operating systems or modern building systems and automation technology - electronics technicians for industrial engineering ensure that electrical systems are professionally installed and maintained. When a building or plant is newly constructed or converted, they draw up designs for modifications and extensions. They install cable routing systems, energy and information lines as well as the electrical equipment of machines with associated automation systems. They also organize the assembly of systems and monitor the work of service providers and other trades. In addition, electronics technicians for industrial engineering assemble and wire switchgear and automation devices. They program and configure systems, check their function and safety equipment.
Finally, they hand over the systems and instruct users in their operation.
The monitoring and regular testing of power installations, signaling and communication systems and measurement and control technology systems are just as much a part of their tasks as the analysis of faults and the repair of installations. They also advise their clients in customer service. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.
Electronics technicians for industrial engineering can work anywhere where production and operating systems are used, built and maintained. These can be power stations and transformer stations, chemical and process engineering plants, mining companies and all branches of the manufacturing industry. They work in factory halls and in customer service at various locations, sometimes outdoors.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Services in technical building management are the central field of activity of electronics technicians for buildings and infrastructure systems.
Together with the customer or the users of the building, they analyze the requirements for technical building systems, identify potential hazards and design the necessary equipment and technical systems.
They also advise the client, calculate costs, award contracts and accept third-party services. They integrate the technical building systems via bus systems, program control systems and test the function of systems and safety equipment. Finally, they hand over the systems and instruct users in their operation.

They regularly inspect and maintain installations and systems, diagnose faults and assess hazards. They ensure economically and ecologically optimal operating values, repair technical equipment themselves or arrange for it to be repaired. They also monitor compliance with safety regulations. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. Expertise in control and regulation technology as well as the technical interfaces to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems characterize this profession, as does the ability to work as a qualified electrician in accordance with accident prevention regulations.

Electronics technicians for building and infrastructure systems are employed in industrial plant construction, by power supply companies and in companies in a wide range of sectors in which smoothly functioning operating plants, buildings and infrastructure systems play an important role, for example in airports or chemical plants. They work in operating facilities, residential and commercial buildings, in functional buildings such as hospitals or on transportation systems. They work in workshops and factory halls, as well as on construction sites and outdoors during assembly. Particularly in maintenance and inspection, their work takes them to frequently changing locations.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Electronics technicians for devices and systems plan and control processes in the production and maintenance of information and communication technology or medical devices, for example. They organize production processes, set up production and testing machines and are involved in quality assurance. Electronics technicians for devices and systems work with and support developers in the realization of orders and the analysis of required functionalities. They produce samples and one-offs, select mechanical, electrical and electronic components and assemble them into systems. In addition to installing and configuring programs and operating systems, testing components and preparing device documentation, their tasks also include creating layouts and production documents. They are also responsible for repairs. In customer service and when repairing devices, they systematically narrow down the sources of faults with the help of testing and measuring devices and diagnostic software. They replace defective parts, check all functions, advise customers and instruct users.
Furthermore, they organize the procurement of components and equipment, are able to work with English-language documents and communicate in English. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.
Electronics technicians for devices and systems mainly work in medium-sized and larger industrial companies that manufacture and maintain information and communication technology devices, medical devices, electronic system components, sensors and actuators, microsystems as well as measuring and testing devices. There they work in the areas of production, testing, repair, quality assurance, testing and laboratories and work in workshops or development and testing laboratories. They can also work directly on the customer's premises in maintenance and repair.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Chamber: IHK / HWK

Electronics technicians for machines and drive technology carry out all activities involved in the assembly, commissioning and maintenance of electrical machines and drive systems. Before starting work, they analyze customer requirements and design suitable drive systems.
They set up production machines, e.g. for armature windings of electric motors,
record the machine and winding data, catalog them and produce the required windings. They are responsible for the assembly and disassembly of electrical machines, assemble mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and electronic components, commission electrical machines, assemble drive systems, install cables and other equipment. They are able to deal with English-language documents such as manuals or order data. Electronics technicians for machines and drive technology create, modify and monitor control and regulation technology programs, set (parameterize) frequency converters and commission drive systems. Their area of responsibility also includes the (remote) diagnosis of faults and systematic troubleshooting
on electrical machines and complex drive systems and their maintenance, servicing and monitoring in operational use.

Electronics technicians for machines and drive technology carry out their work independently in
compliance with the relevant regulations and safety requirements and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.

Employment opportunities are primarily found in companies in the electrical engineering trade and the electrical industry with a corresponding range of products and services. There they work mainly in workshops or workshops, during assembly work on construction sites, in customer service at changing locations. However, they are also in demand as electrotechnical specialists in other, non-electronic sectors, e.g. in the metal industry.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Chamber: HWK

Electronics technicians specializing in information and telecommunications technology plan and install electronic security and communication systems. They assemble the systems, put them into operation, maintain and repair them.

They work primarily in electrical installation companies. Cable network operators or manufacturers of office machines and IT systems are also potential employers. In addition, IT service providers, telecommunications cable civil engineering and railroad companies with their communication networks also offer employment opportunities. Large institutions such as universities or hospitals also have a need for electronics technicians specializing in information and telecommunications technology.

Electronics technician is a recognized training occupation according to the German Crafts Code (HwO).

The nationally regulated 3 1/2-year apprenticeship (KIA 2 1/2 years) is offered in the following specializations:

• Information and telecommunications technology
• Automation technology
• Energy and building technology

Source: Training and job description of the employment agency BerufeNet