My vocational recognition is confirmation of what I'm able to do and opens up opportunities for me.
My name is Ahmed Khazaal and I’m a motor vehicle mechatronics technician.
In Lebanon, I trained and worked as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician.
Luckily, when I came to Germany in 2015, I was able to start work straight away with my uncle in the garage.
In Germany, you can work as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician.
The occupation is not regulated. But then you can't go anywhere else in terms of your career.
I definitely want to progress and complete my master craftsman qualification to maybe later run my own garage.
Recognition of the occupation is a requirement for admission to the master craftsman examination.
My wife and I found out the information on the internet and from the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts and Trades.
Mr Khazaal submitted his papers to us from Lebanon.
However, these didn't clearly describe his qualifications.
Following my qualification, I worked for 4 years in Lebanon and 3 years in Germany.
We therefore suggested a skills analysis.
That was great. I was able to show everything I was capable of. I was a bit nervous but that went away very quickly.
To start with, I sat down with Mr Khazaal for a preliminary discussion in order to get to know him.
It helps if the people assessing me know me a bit and I know them.
In the practical element, he passed the mechanical task with flying colours.
This also required systems expertise.
My task was to change a cambelt.
I had done that many times before.
We also considered a task on a brake.
And he then had to find an electronic fault.
Luckily I was also familiar with this from work.
I slowly became more relaxed.
We then conducted a professional discussion in order to check theoretical knowledge.
He did it very well.
However, it was evident that he still had some catching up to do in the high voltage area.
I then gained this knowledge in the refresher training.
I'm now fully recognised and have received the notice saying that my training is fully equivalent to the training in Germany.
And we look forward to seeing Mr Khazaal again on the further examination preparation course.
It's time to get started on the master craftsman examination.
I want to further improve my German for this.
My tip Get the information, think positive and really go for it!
Start your own success story and talk about it.
Recognition in Germany.
More success stories and information at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de.