The document provides a framework curriculum for the Master Craftsman's Examination in Masonry and Reinforced Concrete in Germany. It outlines the schedule and content for Parts I and II of the examination, which focus on practical projects, case studies, and technical subjects related to construction. Part I involves a master craftsman project, case study, and expert discussion. Part II covers 900 hours of instruction in construction topics like planning, structural design, materials, order processing, and business management. The curriculum aims to harmonize master craftsman qualifications nationwide and meet the new examination requirements.

1. EXAMINATION FOR THE
MASTER CRAFTSMAN’S DIPLOMA
MASONRY AND
REINFORCED CONCRETE TRADE
April 2005
Framework curriculum in preparation for the Examination for the Master
Craftsman’s Diploma in the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Trade
[logo]
German
Construction
Confederation

2. Content:
Page
1. Foreword 4
2. Introduction 6
3. Framework Schedule 8
4. Framework Curriculum for Parts I and II 12
Part I 12
Master Craftsman’s Examination Project 12
Case Study 13
Part II 14
1. Construction 14
2. Construction Materials and Building Physics 15
3. Order Processing 16
4. Business Management and Administration 17
3

3. Foreword
The Regulation for the Occupational Profile for the Master Craftsman’s Examination and the Examination
Requirements for the Master Craftsman’s Examination for the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Trade
was enacted by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in agreement with the Federal
Ministry of Education and Research. The Regulation came into effect on 01 January 2005. Therefore, it
replaces the Regulation for Master Brick Masons of 1993, the Regulation for Master Concrete Workers of
1988, and the Regulation for Master Refractory Masons of 1986.
The new regulations also require new approaches for the preparation and education of master craftsmen.
The framework curriculum is expected to contribute to the nationwide qualitative harmonization of the
master craftsman’s qualification and the master craftsman’s examination for the Masonry and Reinforced
Concrete Trade. For this purpose, the specifications of the new regulation relating to parts I and II of the
master craftsman’s examination for the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Trade are implemented in the
course outlines.

4. This framework curriculum was prepared by the German Construction Confederation in cooperation with
a panel of experts. This panel included:
Wolfgang Bierkarre
Construction Federation of Northern Germany, registered association
Wolfgang Dorant
Federation of Construction Companies of Hesse, registered association
Werner Ernesti
Regional Federation of Construction Guilds of Bavaria, registered association
Heinrich Holch
Construction Trade Federation of Württemberg, registered association
Rainer Höfling
Josef-Greising-School, Würzburg
Jörg Lamprecht
Heinrich-Hübsch-School, Karlsruhe
Steffen Reuter
Construction Federation of South Baden, registered association
Christian Uphoff
Construction Training Centres, registered association
Martin Vanoli
Construction Employer’s Federation of Saarland
Dr. Cornelia Vater
German Construction Confederation, registered association
Local qualification practices have been incorporated by using a cooperative approach in the development
of this framework curriculum.
Berlin, April 2005
National Technical Division Building Construction
German Construction Confederation
[logo]
5

5. Introduction
The implementation of action-oriented examination standards, as stipulated by the new
Regulation for the Master Craftsman Examination, demands high expertise in methodology and
assessment. This applies to the examination committees as well as to teachers of preparatory
courses for master craftsmen. Both, examiner and teacher, need to be motivated and dedicated to
meet these new requirements for the master craftsman’s preparation and examination process.
Key aspects of the new structure
The primary goal of the new master craftsman’s examination is to ascertain that the examinee is able to
independently run a craftsman’s business , to take on leadership roles in technology, business
administration, human resources management, and research and development, to conduct
apprenticeship training, and to employ his occupational competencies autonomously and to adapt them to
changing needs of these areas.
Holistic qualification
The occupational profile for the master craftsman’s examination illustrates the increasing demand for
holistic qualifications rather than individual subject knowledge and skills. The examinee needs to
demonstrate that he/she has mastered all stages of the value-added order and production process in
addition to the creation of individual master pieces.
Parts I and II demand holistic problem-solving skills to handle customer orders. Parts III and IV are also
aligned with the requirements for practice-oriented business management qualifications as well as
occupational education and training qualifications, thus completing the holistic competency profile to be
demonstrated in today’s master craftsman’s examinations.
Project work
Case studies
Expert discussions
This forward-thinking orientation of the master craftsman’s examination system involves significant
changes for the examination and training organization. Project work, case studies and expert discussions
are becoming well-established methods of examining business management skills in the trades, ensuring
that the examination will have a stronger focus customers going into the future.

6. Master craftsman’s examination outline
Master craftsman’s examination project
Part I of the outline of the master craftsman’s examination for the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete
Trade consists of the following components: one master craftsman’s examination project and a related
expert discussion as well as a case study. The master craftsman’s examination project must be
comparable to a customer order.
Expert discussion
The expert discussion is based on the performance of the master craftsman’s examination project. The
examinee shall demonstrate his/her ability to put the examination project into its technical context, explain
the methodology of his/her examination project, illustrate associated occupational problems and their
solutions, while at the same time being able to respond to new developments. Hence, this expert
discussion differs significantly from the oral examination commonly required in the past.
Case study
The case study completes the qualification prerequisites for the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Trade.
Examination subjects
The new structure for the examination subjects in part II is based on the main tasks in a brick mason and
cement worker company and includes the following four subjects: construction, building materials and
building physics, order processing, business management and business organization. At least one
assignment per subject needs to be a case study. Future examinations will be activity-oriented and thus
require the examinee to demonstrate his/her ability to analyze and assess problems and develop and
document appropriate solutions by linking knowledge and skills in technology, process engineering,
material engineering, mathematics and business administration and by considering generally accepted
engineering standards.
Notes
Computer skills
The framework curriculum is a recommendation for teachers of training courses. The number of lessons
also reflects the depth of instruction in the respective subjects. For example, construction, skill set 1b,
teaches fundamentals of structural analysis and strength theory.
Preparatory training courses in parts I and II should incorporate computer-based applications. Training
participants need to understand the importance of computer skills from the very beginning.
The relevant standards are listed in the German construction contract procedures (VOB) - Part C:
General technical specifications in construction contracts (DIN 18299, 18300, 18306, 18308, 18330,
18331, 18336 and related trades). These standards constitute an important component of the preparatory
training courses.
The content for the subject “Order processing” is based on the specific construction order.
Business-relevant assignments
The requirements for part II strongly focus on business-relevant assignments. Thus, the student needs to
be ready for independent learning and information acquisition, especially in the foundational areas.
Participants need to be advised of this key aspect right at the start of the preparatory training course.
7

7. Framework Schedule
Schedule for all parts of the preparatory program for the Examination for the Master Craftsman’s Diploma
in the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Trade
Part I 300 hours
Part II 900 hours
Part III 220 hours
Part IV 120 hours
Total: 1,540 hours

8. Schedule for parts I and II
Part I 300 hours
Master craftsman’s examination project
(1) Generate the plans for a section of a construction project required for the building
permit application
(2) Generate construction documentation for a section of the construction project
(3) Analyze terms of contract, calculate prices and create an offer based on given
specifications
(4) Prepare the outsourcing of services, notably creation of specifications
(5) Prepare an offer/bid including calculation of quantities and written specifications
(6) Prepare work in consideration of other trades, planning, in particular, building
materials, time, personnel and equipment requirements; generate plans for
construction schedule, site facilities, formwork, and site safety
(7) Conduct post calculation
Case study
(1) Produce or complete predetermined construction or auxiliary construction
• reinforcements
• foundations
• drainage channels, drain pipes, drainage
• structures made of stone, concrete and reinforced concrete
• building seals, thermal insulation, noise and fire protection
• chimneys
• refractory masonry
• securing excavations
• formwork and falsework
• construction site security
• work and safety scaffolding
(2) Review and assess predetermined construction or auxiliary construction; determine
errors and deficiencies and document the result; present possible solutions
• fresh concrete and green mortar
• aggregates for mortar and concrete
• foundations
• reinforcements
• drainage channels, drain pipes, drainage
• structures made of stone, concrete and reinforced concrete
• building seals, thermal insulation, noise and fire protection
• chimneys
• refractory masonry
• securing excavations
• formwork and falsework
• construction site security
• work and safety scaffolding
9

9. Part II 900 hours
1. Construction 320 hours
1a: Plan excavations and trenches, excavation and building security, in particular planning of
trench sheeting, underpinning and foundations
12 hours
1b: Design, calculate and measure structural designs for building components and buildings
made of natural and artificial stone, concrete and reinforced concrete, wood and wood-
based materials, and construction steel, taking into account sealing and insulating materials
250 hours
1c: Design and calculate structural designs for building components and buildings of furnaces
and industrial furnaces as well as chimneys for industrial plants
8 hours
1d: Select and assess structural designs for fit-out 34 hours
1e: Plan drainage for buildings and properties 16 hours
2. Construction materials and building physics 200 hours
2a: Assess types and characteristics of construction materials and match their intended use;
describe problems in storage and transport, handling and processing of materials, find
solutions, assess and adjust them
100 hours
2b: Distinguish soil types and assess soil-mechanical connections 10 hours
2c: Describe types of building seals, match their intended uses and substantiate the match 15 hours
2d: Calculate and asses building components, taking into account regulatory provisions and
standards for thermal insulation
15 hours
2e: Describe problems of condensation and find preventative solutions, assess and adjust them 15 hours
2f: Assess structural designs for sound insulation using simplified methods, find solutions,
taking into account standard constructions
20 hours
2g: Select construction materials and structural designs in accordance with fire protection
regulations and substantiate their use
15 hours
2h: Assess airtightness of building components and buildings 10 hours
10

10. 3. Order processing 190 hours
3a: Plan order processing, coordinate operational processes with all parties involved in the
construction and with other trades
8 hours
3b: Assess methods and processes for work flow and organization, taking into account
production and maintenance methods as well as the use of materials, equipment and
personnel; illustrate aspects of quality control
12 hours
3c: Determine and substantiate use of construction machinery and equipment for the order 16 hours
3d: Develop, assess and adjust work plans and installation instructions 16 hours
3e: Assess regulatory requirements and incorporate them into the order processing 34 hours
3f: Apply occupational legislation, regulations and standards in accordance with standard
engineering practice
30 hours
3g: Write, review and assess site reports 8 hours
3h: Describe methods of position and elevation measurements and analyze measurement
reports
21 hours
3i: Conduct site measuring and accounting, taking into account the terms of contract, and
conduct post calculation
45 hours
4. Business management and administration 190 hours
4a: Outline opportunities for order procurement, select appropriate calls for tender 12 hours
4b: Design marketing activities for customer service and acquisition based on technical and
market developments, taking into account new business areas
20 hours
4c: Calculate cash costs, taking into account business context and collective agreements for
the construction industry
56 hours
4d: Calculate hourly rates on the basis of a given cost structure 12 hours
4e: Assess information and communication systems with regard to potential business
applications
30 hours
4f: Plan and illustrate in-house quality management 10 hours
4g: Design and implement concepts for personnel development and leadership 12 hours
4h: Develop and describe factory equipment and logistics 10 hours
4i: Develop business risk analysis, taking into account occupational health and safety and
environmental requirements; assess risk potential and determine actions to prevent and
eliminate risk
20 hours
4k: Assess liability for the construction and maintenance of building components and buildings
as well as for services
8 hours
11

11. Framework Curriculum for the Master Craftsman’s Examination for
the Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Trade
Part I 300 hours
Master Craftsman’s Examination Project Content
(1) Generate plan for a section of a construction project
for the building permit application
• Federal Land Use Ordinance
• Survey
• Draft
• Building specifications
(2) Generate construction documentation for a section of
the construction project
• Working drawing
• Detailed drawing
(3) Analyze terms of contract, calculate prices and create
an offer based on given specifications
• Contract analysis
• Conditions and stipulations and their
application in costing
• Individual costing (see part II, par. 4c
and 4d)
(4) Prepare the outsourcing of services, notably creation
of specifications
• Contract documents with terms of
contract
• Contract specifications (e.g. for
earthwork, plaster work, carpentry and
wood work)
(5) Prepare an offer/bid including calculation of quantities
and written specifications
• Masonry work
• Cement work
• Refractory and chimney construction
work
(6) Prepare work in consideration of other trades,
planning, in particular, building materials, time,
personnel, and equipment requirements; generate
plans for construction schedule, site facilities,
formwork, and site safety
• see part II, par. 3a through 3d
(7) Conduct post calculation • see part II, par. 3i

12. Case Study Content
(1) Produce or complete predetermined construction or
auxiliary construction
• reinforcements
• foundations
• drainage channels, drain pipes, drainage
• structures made of stone, concrete and
reinforced concrete
• building seals, thermal insulation, noise and fire
protection
• chimneys
• refractory masonry
• securing excavations
• formwork and falsework
• construction site security
• work and safety scaffolding
• Reinforcement and formwork for building
components
• Drain pipes or drainage
• Masonry
• Alignment stage
• Bituminous thick coat
• Insulation to protect against thermal
bridges
• Sheeting
• Element formwork
• Site security in inner cities
• Scaffolding
(2) Review and assess predetermined construction or
auxiliary construction; determine errors and
deficiencies and document the result; present possible
solutions
• fresh concrete and green mortar
• aggregates for mortar and concrete
• foundations
• reinforcements
• drainage channels, drain pipes, drainage
• structures made of stone, concrete and
reinforced concrete
• building seals, thermal insulation, noise and fire
protection
• chimneys
• refractory masonry
• securing excavations
• formwork and falsework
• construction site security
• work and safety scaffolding
• Examples of possible reviews (by
creating building components, models,
displays or similar)
• Concrete consistency
• Structural damage
• Delivery notes
• Compliance with plans
• Grade
• Masonry bonds
• Joints
• Connections and penetrations
• Thermal bridges
• Cracks
• Tolerances
• Fall protection
• Bracing and fastening of scaffolding
• Underpinnings, retrofitted openings
13

13. Part II 900 hours
1. Construction (320 hours)
Competencies Content Hours
1a: Plan excavations and trenches,
excavation and building security, in
particular planning of trench
sheeting, underpinning and
foundations
• Earthwork
• Embankments and sheeting types
• Drainage
• Foundation types
• Work flow with underpinnings
• Backfilling and compaction of excavations and trenches
12
1b: Design, calculate and measure
structural designs for building
components and buildings made of
natural and artificial stone, concrete
and reinforced concrete, wood and
wood-based materials, and
construction steel, taking into
account sealing and insulating
materials
• Construction and dimensioning of foundations made of
concrete and reinforced concrete
• Construction and dimensioning of masonry made of artificial
stone
• Construction of concrete and reinforced concrete supports
• Construction and dimensioning of concrete and wooden
supports
• Construction and dimensioning of single span girders with
cantilever, equal span continuous beams, and tee-beams
• Construction of reinforced concrete one-way and two-way
slabs
• Dimensioning of reinforced concrete single-span slab
• Planning of damage-prone construction details
• Reinforcement drawings and detail drawings
250
1c: Design and calculate structural
designs for building components and
buildings of furnaces and industrial
furnaces as well as chimneys for
industrial plants
• Smoke and exhaust systems
• Construction of industrial furnaces and chimneys for
industrial plants
• refractory mixes
• acid, corrosion, and humidity protection
• Heating-up curves
8
1d: Select and assess structural designs
for the fit-out
• Walls
• Floors
• Stairs
• Roofs
• Windows
• Doors
• Building services technology
34
1e: Plan drainage for buildings and
properties
• Drainage systems
• Underground pipe
• Drainage
• Control units
• Inspections
• Seepage
• Environmental regulations
16
14

14. Construction materials and building physics (200 hours)
Competencies Content Hours
2a: Assess types and characteristics of
construction materials and match
their intended use; describe
problems in storage and transport,
handling and processing of
materials, find solutions, assess and
adjust them
• Natural stone
• Artificial stone
• Bonds
• Mortar, screed, plaster
• Cement
• Materials and processes for building maintenance
• Wood and wood-based materials
• Metals
• Bituminous materials
• Synthetic materials
• Insulation materials
• Glass
• Verification of suitability, permits
100
2b: Distinguish soil types and assess
soil-mechanical connections
• Organic and inorganic soils
• Cohesive and non-cohesive soils
• Carrying capacity
• Water influence
• Soil settlement
10
2c: Describe types of building seals,
match their intended uses and
substantiate the match
• Seals against
Soil moisture and non-accumulative seepage
Accumulating seepage
Pressure from external water
• Sealing materials
• Protective layers
15
2d: Calculate and asses building
components, taking into account
regulatory provisions and standards
for thermal insulation
• Terminology for thermal insulation
• Heat transfer
• Position of thermal insulation
• Thermal bridges
• Energy conservation legislation and regulations
15
2e: Describe problems of condensation
and find preventive solutions, assess
and adjust them
• Fundamentals of physics
• Moisture transport (diffusion, capillarity, current)
• Causes, potential results and prevention of condensation
15
2f: Assess structural designs for sound
insulation using simplified methods,
find solutions, taking into account
standard constructions
• Fundamentals of physics
• Soundproofing requirements
• Impact noise insulation
• Airborne sound insulation
• Bypass transfer
20
2g: Select construction materials and
structural designs in accordance with
fire protection regulations and
substantiate their use
• Fire protection terminology
• Fire protection requirements
• Fire resistance classification
• Fire behavior of building materials and building components
• Fire protection structures for load bearing building
components
• Building regulations
• Fire compartments
• Fire protection bulkhead
15
2h: Assess airtightness of building
components and buildings
• Different constructions (solid and lightweight constructions)
• Connections with other building components
• Measurement methods
10
15

15. Order processing (190 hours)
Competencies Content Hours
3a: Plan order processing, coordinate
operational processes with all parties
involved in the construction and with
other trades
• External specifications
• Internal specifications
• Meshing of trades involved
• Responsibility and accountability of the parties involved in
the construction
8
3b: Assess methods and processes for
work flow and organization, taking
into account production and
maintenance methods as well as the
use of materials, equipment and
personnel, thereby illustrating
aspects of quality control
• Construction timelines
• Personnel plans
• Provision planning (building materials, materials, equipment)
• Controlling
• Partial acceptance of construction work
• Handover of construction object
12
3c: Determine and substantiate use of
construction machines and
equipment for the order
• Site facilities
• Equipment, performance data
16
3d: Develop, assess and adjust work
plans and installation instructions
• Formwork plans
• Installation instructions for wood, steel and precast
construction
16
3e: Assess regulatory requirements and
incorporate them into the order
processing
• Building permit content and requirements
• Compliance with design documents
34
3f: Apply occupational legislation,
regulations and standards in
accordance with standard
engineering practice
• Regional Building Code implementation regulations
• Building contract law under the German Civil Code
• German construction contract procedures (VOB) -
Parts B and C:
• Environmental legislation
30
3g: Write, review and assess site reports • Site report
• Use of personnel, materials and equipment
• Subcontractor services
• Damage reports
• Accident reports
• Additional services
8
3h: Describe methods of position and
elevation measurements and
analyze measurement reports
• Tools
• Measurement and calculation methods
• Controls
• Surveys
21
3i: Conduct site measuring and
accounting, taking into account the
terms of contract, and conduct post
calculation
• Site measurement plan
• Measurement drawings
• Measurement regulations under the German construction
contract procedures (VOB) for brick masonry and cement
work
• Significant measurement regulations for other trades
• Interim and final accounting
• Calculation of total cost
• Target-actual comparison
45
16

16. 4. Business management and administration (190 hours)
Competencies Content Hours
4a: Outline opportunities of order
procurement, select appropriate calls
for tender
• Public tenders
• Private tenders
• Additional orders
• Subsequent orders
• Customer loyalty
• Joint ventures
12
4b: Design marketing activities for
customer service and acquisition
based on technical and market
developments, taking into account
new business areas
• Needs and goals
• Market analysis
• Advertisement and information opportunities
• Marketing concepts
• Customer advice
20
4c: Calculate cash costs, taking into
account business context and
collective agreements for the
construction industry; determine and
apply key business ratios based on
given schemes
• Calculation methods
• Types of costs: wages, materials, equipment, subcontractors
• Cost accounting
• Determine key business ratios
• Key business ratio schemes
• Collective agreement regulations relevant to costs
56
4d: Calculate hourly rates on the basis of
a given cost structure
• Calculation scheme of the construction associations 12
4e: Assess information and
communication systems with regard
to potential business applications
• Trade literature
• Databases
• Information from the associations
• Data acquisition
• Document administration
• Information and communication technology
• Functional specifications for the selection of hardware and
sector-specific software
30
4f: Plan and illustrate in-house quality
management
• Goals and specifications
• Structural analysis
• Check lists, procedures and work instructions
• Quality management handbook (basic structure)
• Implementation in the business
• Certification
10
4g: Design and implement personnel
development and leadership
concepts
• Job descriptions
• Team building, co-responsibility
• Leadership structures
• Employee motivation
• Employee interview
• Qualification of staff
• Employee evaluation
• Means of conflict resolution
12
4h: Develop and describe factory
equipment and logistics
• Office, construction yard
• Profitability comparison between in-house and subcontractor
services (personnel, materials, equipment)
10
17

17. Point 4. continued: Business management and administration
Competencies Content Hours
4i: Develop business risk analysis,
taking into account occupational
health and safety and environmental
requirements; assess risk potential
and determine actions to prevent and
eliminate risk
• Legal provisions on
• industrial safety
• accident prevention
• hazardous materials
• machinery
• emissions
• waste
• soil and water conservation
• Documents for risk assessment
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Operating instructions
• Check lists
• Health and safety coordinator job description
20
4k: Assess liability for the construction
and maintenance of building
components and buildings as well as
for services
• Contractual liability (emphasis on warranties)
• Tort liability (unlawful acts)
8
18

18. Publisher
German Construction
Confederation
Kronenstraße 55-58
10117 Berlin-Mitte
Phone: 030/20314-0
Fax: 030/20314-419
bau@zdb.de
www.zdb.de
Distribution
Association for the Promotion
of the German Construction
Industry
Kronenstraße 55-58
10117 Berlin-Mitte
Phone: 030/20314-124
Fax: 030/20314-128
bestellung@gfb-bau.de