Digitisation. Reorganisation of the IT training careers

Digitisation. Exciting reorganisation of IT training professions

January 4, 2021

The four major dual IT occupations of IT specialist, IT systems electronics technician, IT systems clerk and IT clerk have been reorganised. The need for change is driven by the rapidly changing requirements in the areas of networking, Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 and the associated digitalisation of all economic sectors. The reorganised IT occupations have been in effect since 1 August 2020. Here I have summarised the most important points for you for training as a digitalisation management assistant. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The training to become an information technology clerk no longer exists. Now the training is called management assistant for digitalisation management. It is one of the new IT professions and not only replaces the old training in terms of its name and content - it also adds new focal points. Digitalisation management assistants analyse data and processes and further develop digital business and value-added processes. They procure IT systems and act as an interface between the commercial and IT sectors. The training usually lasts 3 years.

My responsibilities at Sycor include various Microsoft 365 topics, administration and support for a wide range of hardware and software. This teaches me how to solve problems independently and how to meet the latest hardware and software requirements. Through my work in corporate IT, I come into contact with technological innovations on a daily basis and have to master these in view of my job as a businessman for digitalisation management.

The almost constant change in the areas of application is most likely the reason why I enjoy my training as a digitalisation management assistant so much. This training also offers the perfect springboard for the future and makes this profession a very good choice.

What does a digitalisation management assistant do?

Development of IT solutions: The digitalisation management clerk works on optimising existing IT systems in the company and equips operations with the latest hardware and software. He also develops concepts for new systems that make the company more economical and efficient. He works a lot at the operational level.

Support: If the company gets new software or hardware, the KfDM, as the profession is abbreviated, instructs the employees and familiarises them with the new system. He or she is also on hand to help with general PC problems, for example installing drivers or updates.

Controlling: In the area of controlling, the digitalisation management assistant takes care of the finances and controls the expenditures. For this purpose, he or she prepares statistics and presentations that provide a good overview of the company's finances.

IT security & data protection: The topic of data protection is playing an increasingly important role. Digitalisation management clerks ensure compliance with regulations and check IT security measures.

Drafting contracts: The drafting and drawing up of contracts of all kinds is also part of the diverse range of tasks for digitalisation management clerks.

Your tasks at a glance:

Develop IT solutions
Carry out quality assurance measures
Analysing value chains
Draw up contracts
Ensure compliance with data protection guidelines

What do digitalisation management clerks learn?

1st year of training

Integrating clients into networks: Client integration is about integrating software or hardware into a network. After a detailed analysis of the existing network infrastructure, it is planned which clients make the system better, for example in terms of energy efficiency.

Setting up workstations: What programmes do the company's employees need and where are they available? You learn about the entire process of setting up workstations: Starting with initial research, concluding purchase contracts and ending with configuration at the workstation.

Data management: Within the framework of a project on the topic of data analysis, the handling of data and suitable software is taught in a very practical way. For this purpose, an application for managing data is adapted and test cases are developed. This is then implemented and tested in detail.

2nd year of training

Service issues: Dealing with service issues and rectifying faults are among the most important tasks of a KfDM. In the second year of training, you will learn to analyse service issues and sort them into a service management system. The handling process is documented and subsequently also reflected upon.

Software projects: In the software project learning field, you will record a customer order. You will assess the effort involved and the risks. Then a plan is worked out, software is implemented and tested.

Procurement processes: The procurement of software, hardware and services can be done in many different ways. Buy, rent or lease? There are various contracts for this, and you will get to know all the advantages and disadvantages.

3rd year of training

Value-added processes: Full cost accounting, operational accounting sheet, partial cost accounting, quotation costing - in the third year of training, the commercial area goes into detail. The trainees learn how to carry out operational cost and activity accounting and how to keep a company economically on track.

Data preparation: Collecting and preparing data is also part of the curriculum in the third year of training. The data is analysed, checked for quality, structured and categorised. The data is then prepared and visualised - i.e. clearly presented.

Digital further development of companies: What business model does a company have and which sales channels does it use? You will analyse this in the training and, based on this, develop proposals for the digital development of a company.

Important school subjects

In-depth knowledge of the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for successful training:

For the preparation of calculations and other commercial-business tasks, prospective digitalisation management clerks need a good knowledge of mathematics. A sound knowledge of computer science is useful for working with the systems commonly used in the IT sector. Business processes and operational procedures are simulated during the training. Knowledge of economic contexts is helpful. For customer contact and contract negotiations, good German language skills and especially good oral expression skills are important. Dealing with English-speaking customers and business partners is facilitated by a good command of English.

Soft skills

Some characteristics of work and social behaviour are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: Reliability, punctuality, honesty, critical faculties and appropriate manners. In addition, the following occupation-specific characteristics are needed to be able to exercise this occupation.

Willingness to perform and apply Customer advice on the use of IT systems
Careful maintenance of IT systems
Independent working method Procurement, provision and implementation of IT systems
Flexibility to work in different locations, e.g. at the customer's site
Willingness to learn Knowledge of current information and telecommunication technologies
Communication skills Advising customers
Friendly, winning manner Winning and retaining customers
Customer and service orientation Adapting software products to customer requirements
Negotiating skills Conducting negotiations when procuring the required hardware and software
Assertiveness Setting hardware and software suppliers to certain conditions

Sources:

Our authors have very different professions and come from different areas and locations of Sycor. All of them write from their personal point of view and from their personal experiences.

Raphail Chantzidis

Apprentice Businessman for Digitalisation Management