Pathways to the master craftsman certificate

There is a desperate need for a master craftsmen and women in many skilled crafts occupations. However the route to a master craftsman certificate can be long and arduous - journeymen do, after all, often have to complete their training alongside their career. Good planning and information on the options for financial support are therefore important.

On the first floor, with a view of the expansive and brightly lit "Elbcampus" entrance hall, the journeymen and women are waiting for everything to start. The "Elbcampus" is situated to the south of the river Elbe. It is the name of the centre of excellence of the Hamburg Chamber of Crafts and Trades and is a new learning location for prospective master craftsmen and women. Some of those attending have already decided on master craftsman training; others just want to find out about what this training actually entails.

"I'm thinking about doing the master craftsman certificate and just want to find out about how everything works, how it is organised and whether this is an alternative to the full-time master craftsman."

"I have already registered. And I'm here so that I know what I can get for myself, what I am letting myself in for etcetera, so that I'm not standing there empty handed when everything really gets going."

Following the welcome in the main hall and the short show by an improvisational theatre group, the visitors divide up into the different trades. There are many hairdressers, but many also want to take further training as electrical engineers and carpenters. Julia Arff explains just how important it is to gather information in advance. She works as a continuing education and training counsellor on the "Elbcampus".

"How do I fund it?" "How do I schedule in training times and times for learning at home? How can I arrange things so that I can continue to work? Is there a variant which runs in parallel with work, or is full-time may be better for me?"

On this particular evening, Julia Arff is running this initial counselling for all those who want to do their master craftsman certificate in joinery. She explains that funding might be possible via the "master craftsman" grant. At the front on the smartboard, Julia Arff makes it clear that only 60 per cent of the €10,000 — the cost of a master craftsman certificate in joinery — needs to be paid back.

And after passing the master craftsman examination, graduates are again waived a further 40 per cent of the remaining amount. In the end, just under €4,000 is left to pay out of your own pocket. Subsidies are even granted for maintenance. However, this only applies if the master craftsman certificate is completed on a full-time basis and not alongside your actual career.

"The preparation for the master craftsman certificate always consists of four parts. Part 1 is specialist practice, part 2 is specialist theory. Part 3 is always the commercial section and part 4 is what we refer to in general as trainer aptitude."

For the aspiring master craftsmen and women, it is best to complete the commercial section of the continuing training as early as possible. Julia explains that the processing of a customer order from the initial order via detailed discussions with the customer and costing through to invoicing are, after all, part of the master craftsman examination. She adds that those who do not acquire the skills until the end of the further training end up in difficulties.

Wolfgang Reich manages the marketing on the "Elbcampus". He is pleased to see around 150 people attending the information evening. It is, however, obvious that the master craftsman certificate is no guarantee for professional success and a good income in all trades.

"efrigeration engineering, electrical engineering and metal working — companies operating in these areas are where I really have a chance to develop myself for my career and to develop my business."

The master craftsman grant or the possibility of receiving a special scholarship are important tools for attracting more journeymen and women to the master craftsman course.

However, a further enticement would prove even more effective, explains Wolfgang Reich: "We are currently at the stage where we are even trying, together with policy makers, to offer a 'master craftsman bonus'. This means that it would eventually be possible to prepare for the master craftsman certificate without incurring any financial cost."

However it is not clear when this will be happening and whether other federal states will also follow this suggestion.