U.S. college credit for German apprenticeship training/courses certs...

Hello everyone,
I have had a German car mechanic apprenticeship (Nationally certified) and many years working experience in that field. Also electronic courses of several months duration at a Swiss tech school, including many other more specific training and courses for which I received certificates of completion.
I would like to have my German/Swiss credentials evaluated by one of the a "Credential Evaluation Services" and maximize my U.S. college credits.

Which "Credential Evaluation Service", that is on of the NACES members, is most generous when it comes to interpreting German (or Swiss) apprenticeships/courses/ training certificates?

 

That's very hard to tell. Not only do the different evaluation services may differ, but individual evaluators within that same service differ also. What you are paying for is someone's opinion.

FWIW, I've used IERF, and WES before. IERF seems to really know what they were talking about, was a founding member of NACES, and did a great job. The down side was that they take longer because they do their research. WES was good also, faster, but just seemed to be a rubber stamp. I've heard horror stories about ECE.

 

Wile I don't have a reply about NACES member agency today I did email some inqueries to people I know who work for such agencies. And will provide you an update once I get replies.

I can add additional info.

Germany and European Union all established Qualification Frameworks that are 8 levels.

Apprentice of 3.5 years is at level 4 on DQF.

More info is here.

Google Translate

At 31 January 2012 have the top representatives of federal, state and social partners finally agreed on a compromise. The general accounts are not assigned to the first frame. However, it was agreed that two-year vocational trainings are classified at level 3 and three-and-half years of initial training at level 4. The qualifications of the State-certified technicians, business managers and designers are classified at level six, so bachelor level, the DQR and thus also of the EQF.

I think you maybe qualified as State-certified Technologist - SgT

Check with the BVT for the internationally recognize qualification that is on level 6 on DQF and EQF.

If accepted the State-certified Engineer BVT is equivalent to Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

The certificate in German and English.

http://static.myhammer.com/v3/user_generated/upload/binary/25/4/3205_state-certifed-engineer-bvt.pdf

 

Conditions

State-certified Technicians/Engineers, business managers and designers are professionals who, on the basis

a completed vocational training (apprenticeship)
and several years of professional practice in their profession
completed a study at a technical school with at least 2,400 hours and subsequent compulsory state exam and have thus qualified to assume responsibilities in functional areas of middle management and were capable of.

By passing the exam these professionals are entitled to use the title

State-certified technician / engineer or state certified
State Certified Business Management / Business Administration or Certified
State-certified designer / Certified Designer

Your level 4 training is equivalent to US Associate degree. So you should have 60 credits plus the other classes.

 

Thank you Lerner, I am (happily) surprised to find out this information and looking forward to your update on the "Credential Evaluation Services" under NACES once you get replies from people you know. Thanks again.

 

Hello edowave, thank you for your help. I have heard of ECE being very popular, wasn't sure of how good or bad they were. Until now I have only approached FIS in Washington for practical reasons, since they were within driving distance and thought that most services would require original documents. I will be looking at WES and IERF more closely. Thanks again.

 

Hallo und guten Tag.

Evaluation of Academic Credentials - 7th Ave, New York, NY 10123
US Academic Equivalent September 2011
Degree: Associate of Arts in Electronics Technology
Prepared and certified by: Dr. Jonatan Jelen

Princeton University - 35 Olden Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-2087
Expert Opinion Evaluation September 2011
Degree Equivalent Based on Academic Qualifications and Professional Experience:
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Prepared and certified by: Professor Jaswinder Pal Sing

I will post additional info in a week or so,

Again as of 1/31/2012

DQF and EQF recognize Work-based training program (apprenticeship) of 3.5 years as level 4.

The same level 4 is a foundation or Associate degree.

If a person studies additional min 2400 hours vocational education in College then they get level 6 - Bachelor.

The evaluation above is a combination of both college and work training.

This was before the official recognition in Germany and EU of German Work-based training program (apprenticeship) as level 4. Associates in US.

As documents are in process of updating the State-certified Engineer for example is now evaluated as Bachelors equivalent.
By Credential Evaluation Services that got the updated German Government decision on professional qualifications.

read more here:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.bvt-online.de/de/der_bvt/ziele/&ei=axGiT-CuKvPJiQLUt8TOBw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCMQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DIm%2BInteresse%2Baller%2BFachschulabsolventen%2Bverfolgt%2Bder%2BBVT%2Bnachstehende%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1202%26bih%3D585%26prmd%3Dimvns

At 31 January 2012 have the top representatives of federal, state and social partners finally agreed on a compromise. The general accounts are not assigned to the first frame. However, it was agreed that two-year vocational trainings are classified at level 3 and three-and-half years of initial training at level 4.

The qualifications of the State-certified technicians, business managers and designers are classified at level six, so Bachelor level, the DQR and thus also of the EQF.

 

I heard from my contact at Chartered member of NACES that they evaluated the State-certified Engineer as equivalent to US Bachelor of Engineering earned at Regionally Accredited University.

This means that the Official German Apprentice documentation since it is at level 4 on DQF and EQF are counting as Associate Degree level now with additional 2,400 hour College program and passing the state exams it now level 6 on EQF and equivalent to Bachelor of Engineering.
Apprentice in Germany is a work based qualification on a level of vocational Associates or Foundation degree.

It is also been confirmed by Engineering Council in UK that State-certified Engineer is now on EU Directive and is accredited for registration as IEng
in UK.

 

...European credential evaluation ...

Hello Lerner, I am truly happy to hear this information - thank you again for retrieving and sharing this information with me.
I assume the "Credential Evaluation Service" will probably evaluate individual course grades I received during the time of the Apprenticeship to give an equivalent, correct?
I will be having my apprenticeship evaluated shortly and will share the results soon. Thank you and God bless.

 

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
My brother took a few of the ASE exams and passed. Some schools offer college credit for ASE certifications.

https://www.ase.com/Home.aspx

ASE Certification Test Series

Automobile & Light Truck Certification Tests (A Series):Tests Offered:

A1 – Engine Repair (50 scored questions)
A2 – Automatic Transmission/Transaxle (50)
A3 – Manual Drive Train & Axles (40)
A4 – Suspension & Steering (40)
A5 – Brakes (45)
A6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems (50)
A7 – Heating & Air Conditioning (50)
A8 – Engine Performance (50)
A9 – Light Vehicle Diesel Engines (50)

Collision Repair & Refinish Certification Tests (B Series)
Damage Analysis & Estimating Certification Test (B6)
Automobile Service Consultant Certification Test (C1)
Truck Equipment Certification Tests (E Series)
Alternate Fuels Certification Test (F1)
Transit Bus Certification Tests (H Series)
Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification Test (L1)
Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification Test (L2)
Engine Machinist Certification Tests (M Series)
Parts Specialist Certification Tests (P Series)
School Bus Certification Tests (S Series)
Medium-Heavy Truck Certification Tests (T Series)
Undercar Specialist Exhaust Systems Test (X1)
Master Status

Technicians who pass multiple tests can earn ASE Master Status in one or more test series. Get the details here http://www.ase.com/Tests/ASE-Certification-Tests/Test-Series/Master-Status.aspx

Automotive Technology Online Degree for ASE Certified Technicians
http://catalog.northampton.edu/Programs-and-Majors/Automotive-Technology-Online-Degree-for-ASE-Certified-Technicians.htm