Trades have a future

The third nation-wide Day of Crafts took place at the end of September 2013 under the motto "Future Derives from Capability".

The nation-wide activities on occasion of the Day of Crafts illustrated the diversity and modernity of the skilled trades. This year's motto highlighted the strengths of the skilled trades, that is, technical skill and a high degree of creativity, which derive from sound vocational education and continuing training.

The German Federal Minister of Economy and Technology, Dr Philipp Rösler: "Every day, our five million craftsmen and craftswomen make themselves and thus our country fit for the future by way of their efficiency, innovation capability and high-quality workmanship. The impressive commitment of the crafts to vocational education and training has significantly contributed to the delightfully low rate of youth unemployment in Germany. Our dual vocational education and training system is the basis for this success story. Reliable framework conditions are important to empower the crafts also in the future. This pertains to the dual vocational education and training system, the industry's self-government with its system of chambers, the burden of taxation and the master craftsman certificate. When it comes to their importance for Germany as a site for industry and business, the master craftsman examinations in the crafts are fully equal to academic degrees. Both the journeyman and master craftsman certifications ensure tailored vocational education and training and are expression of a high degree of quality. We therefore expressly persist in upholding the German master craftsman certificate. The crafts are and remain an important partner in successfully meeting the challenges that lie ahead, for example, improvements as regards energy efficiency."

Each year, well over 120,000 journeyman examinations, 23,000 master craftsman examinations and almost 40,000 other continuing education qualifications are completed in the crafts. In the past year, the vocational education and training rate in the skilled trades requiring licensing was 12.1 per cent. With 4.9 per cent, this rate was significantly lower in the non-crafts occupations.

The capability of businesses to provide vocational education and training is ensured by the skilled trades organisations, for example, by sponsorship of inter-company vocational education and training facilities in the skilled trades. Tradespeople invest well over 100,000 person days in the examination committees of the chambers of crafts. Thus, the chamber system in particular ensures the safeguarding of tasks and interests especially for small and medium-sized businesses. It is one of the success factors of our economy and enjoys a high degree of recognition and appreciation also throughout Europe.