After completing school in 1965, he began an apprenticeship as a
draftsman, which he completed in 1968. From 1968 to 1972, he underwent training as a civil engineering technician and obtained the entrance qualification for a technical college. He then studied Structural Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences
Bielefeld, Minden Department, from 1973 to 1976, graduating as a Diplom-Civil Engineer. During his military service, he served as a staff soldier and attained the rank of private. From 1976, he operated his own company with eight employees. == Political career ==