Ten facts about skilled crafts

Many different jobs

From alteration tailor to motor bike and bicycle mechanic: over 130 skilled craft trades can be learned by young people in Germany. These include such well-known occupations as baker or bricklayer, but also unusual jobs such as gem cutter or maker of plucked instruments.

Attractive employers

The number of skilled craft enterprises in Germany is around 1,000,000; there were 250,000 fewer in 1998. Skilled crafts are considered future-proof and offer many career opportunities. These include advanced training as a state-certified technician or business economist, and of course self-employment as a master craftsman or master craftswoman.

Trainee instructor number one

Well over a quarter of all trainees in Germany are training for an occupation in skilled crafts. That's more than in any other trade.

Opportunities for beginners

In spite of the many advantages, skilled craft businesses in Germany are still looking for new talent: the number of employees has remained around 5.6 million since 2009, even though numerous new companies have sprung up during this time. In 2004, skilled craft trades had 5.8 million employees.

Talent sought

Skilled craftsmen are in high demand. In June 2019, 161,279 job vacancies were registered with the Federal Employment Agency.

The most sought-after occupations

Skilled craftsmen are particularly lacking in Germany in these sectors: mechatronics and electronics, vehicle construction, plumbing and installation, and in the subsequent building out of shell construction.

The largest occupational groups

Thirty-eight percent of skilled craft businesses in Germany are among the building finishing crafts (plumbing, window construction, painting), and 11 percent are in the main construction industry, which includes jobs such as road builders, bricklayers and screed layers. A quarter of skilled craft enterprises specialize in personal services.

Growing economic factor

In 2020, the revenues of German skilled craft trades reached around 650 billion euros. It has increased significantly in recent years: in 2004, it was still 479 billion euros.

Interesting for women and men

Hairdresser, optometrist, pastry chef and dental technician are particularly popular apprenticeships for women in Germany. Men most often train for the following jobs: automotive mechatronics, electronics and plant mechanic for plumbing, heating and air conditioning.