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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Surveying technician (Vermessungstechniker/in)

Vermessungstechniker / Vermessungstechnikerin

You measure land, mark boundaries and prepare plans: a paid 3-year training for a trade split between the outdoors and the office.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,264 to €1,363gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a surveying technician does

They measure the land directly for construction projects or to establish plot boundaries, sometimes use drones, then process the data to produce maps and plans.

Measure

Set up the instruments and take position and height measurements in the field.

Process

Use the data on a computer to produce maps, land-registry plans and project documents.

Represent

Produce three-dimensional representations of buildings or roads from the measurements.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you like working outdoors with precision measuring instruments
you are rigorous and responsible when reading off values
you have a sense of space and like reading maps
you are comfortable on rough ground and on a building site

Less suitable if…

you cope badly with walking for long periods over difficult terrain
you dislike the rigour of measurements and checks
you are looking for a purely office-based job

Advantages

Paid from the first year
Alternation between outdoor and computer work
Public employers: land registry, municipalities, authorities
Route to technician or further study

Difficulties

Work outdoors in all weathers
A lot of rigour to read and document measurements
Travel and terrain that is sometimes difficult
Pay varies between the public and private sectors

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

07:30

Preparing the instrumentsChoose the measuring devices, check the batteries and prepare the day's route.

08:30

Fieldwork surveySet up the instrument, measure the position and height points and note the results.

10:30

Setting out for a building siteMark out on the ground the points of a construction project and make them visible.

13:00

Back at the officeTransfer the measurements to the computer and check their quality before any processing.

14:30

Producing a planDraw up a plan or a land-registry extract from the data collected in the field.

16:00

Documenting and tidying upRecord the results, put the instruments away and prepare the next day's assignment.

Technical skills

Land surveyingPosition and height measurementsGeodata processingPlans and cadastreGeographic information systemsDrone use

Personal qualities

RigourSense of responsibilitySpatial senseSure-footednessIndependence

The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

The basics

≈ €1,264gross / month

Geoinformation basics
Measuring instruments
Intermediate exam

Year 2

Technique

≈ €1,315gross / month

Fieldwork surveys
Data processing
Plans and maps

Year 3

Independence

≈ €1,363gross / month

Cadastre and public tasks
High-precision measurements
Final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale du secteur public. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place at the start of the second year and covers the first year. The final exam (Abschlussprüfung) has four areas, of which surveying processes count for 40 per cent. You obtain the final training certificate, issued by the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) or, in the public sector, by the competent body.

Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.

German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitnessThe job calls for sure-footedness and good physical fitness to work on difficult terrain, outdoors in all weathers, and precision with measuring instruments.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled surveying technicianJobs in a land-registry office, a geoinformation authority or a surveying firm.

With experienceFurther trainingDeepen your skills in surveying technology or computer-aided design through short courses.

Longer termTechnician or degreeBecome a surveying technician (Techniker) or study surveying technology with university entry.

Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Building and construction” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Surveying technician (Vermessungstechniker/in)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Need assistance

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

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AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure

Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure

Flyer

FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

36 months, i.e. 3 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

How much do you earn in the private sector?

In engineering and architecture offices, the recommendation ranges from €857 to €903 gross a month in the first year and from €1,259 to €1,325 in the third year.

Are there several specialisations?

Yes: there are two, the Vermessung (surveying) specialisation and the Bergvermessung (mine surveying) specialisation. The content shown here follows the Vermessung specialisation.

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistance Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

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