Technical systems planner (Technischer Systemplaner)
A key role in building-services and energy technology, sought after by German planning offices.
The profession
The technical systems planner designs and draws in CAD the building-services systems (heating, ventilation, plumbing, electrical) and network schematics. They prepare the plans that installation firms will carry out.
Salary
During the apprenticeship, pay follows the tariff, generally around 1,000 to 1,200 € per month. After the diploma, the median across all experience levels is about 4,029 €/month for these technical drawing roles; entry sits below that median (source: Entgeltatlas, Federal Employment Agency, 2025).
Duration and path
The training lasts 3.5 years in the dual system, with a specialism (for example building services or electrical engineering), and ends with the chamber exam.
Employers hiring
Building-services (TGA) planning offices, engineering offices (Ingenieurbüros) and installation firms hire, driven by energy-efficient renovation.
Prospects
Prospects are strong, supported by the energy transition and the demand for building-services technology.
Career progression
You can progress to technician (Techniker), senior planner, or continue toward an engineering degree in building services or electrical engineering.
Language level
The vocational school, the exam and the design office all take place in German. B2 is the standard employers expect, and it is the level we aim for.
Recognition and access
For an Ausbildung, no diploma recognition is required: you train directly in Germany and the qualification is recognised throughout the country. You need an Ausbildung contract, the expected German level and, generally, a secondary school leaving certificate.
Visa
Entry is via the vocational training visa (Ausbildung). Once qualified, you switch to a skilled worker permit to work in Germany. As these are vocational roles, the EU Blue Card, reserved for university profiles, does not apply. We check your eligibility and prepare the application with you.
Your Karriere Fähre support
We train you in German up to the required level, find the company and the Ausbildung contract, prepare the visa file and support you all the way to your arrival.
Frequently asked questions
- Which specialism to choose?
- The main ones are building services (heating, ventilation, plumbing) and electrical engineering; both hire strongly.
- Is it an office job?
- Yes, mainly in the planning and design office, using CAD software.
Indicative gross ranges from public German sources (Federal Employment Agency, Entgeltatlas, Gehalt.de, StepStone, VDI). Engineering pay depends on sector, region, company size and experience. Degree-recognition and visa rules change: always check your case with the competent German authorities.