Persons wishing to take the Federal Professional Examination (FPE) with a Federal VET Diploma require an apprenticeship qualification as a metal construction designer or a Federal VET Diploma in a related profession and at least three years of professional experience in the metal industry after completing the apprenticeship. In addition, proof of completion of all required modules and of the vocational trainer course.

On the one hand, people interested in the Federal VET Diploma metal construction designer apprenticeship must have completed their compulsory schooling and have good grades in algebra, geometry, arithmetic and technical drawing. In addition to a precise way of working, patience and perseverance, the ability to think logically and abstractly, planning and mathematical interests, a good spatial imagination as well as technical understanding and a certain talent for communication and organization.

Metal construction designers with a federal certificate acquire extensive technical and social skills during continuing education, further training, which enable them to act as a company representative towards customers and suppliers, to lead a planning team, to take on the planning of smaller industrial buildings as well as façade and metal construction components and to prepare construction invoices and specifications.

The advanced training course to become a Metal Construction Designer with Federal Diploma of Higher Education consists of eight main topics, which are divided into modules and must be passed for admission to the Federal Professional Examination. These modules are: "Building Physics I", "Calculation I", "Marketing and Acquisition I", "Designing III Metal Construction", "Materials Technology and Process Engineering I", "Project Management I", "Personnel Management I", "Designing IV Façade Construction" or "Designing V Steel Construction".

The schools offer continuing education, further training to become a metal construction designer with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education, mainly on a part-time basis over a period of three to four semesters. The basic training (apprenticeship) is expected to take four years, although this is full-time.

Those interested in continuing education, further training as a metal construction designer with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education must allow for between 8 and 12 hours of teaching time per week. In addition, there is exam preparation and self-study time of around three to five hours per week.