Welcome at the Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts
Trade & craft and the system of Chambers in Germany
The Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts is one of the 54 german Chambers of skilled crafts. They are regional structured non-profit corporations under public law. The legal base of the activities is the Skilled Crafts Act as well as the individual statutes of the different Chambers of skilled crafts.
Their task is to promote a strong and competitive small business and skilled trades sector by supporting their member enterprises in providing the following services: consultancy, training and qualification.
Membership is compulsory for every business in the region pursuing one of the skilled craft trades (list of trades -> download area).
The Chambers offer a wide spectrum of services ranging from advice on technical, financial or legal matters to vocational training and keeping the craft register. They are responsible for giving the final examinations in initial and further vocational training courses. As self-governing organisations they also represent the interests of the skilled craft sector in front of political institutions and public administration.
Trade & craft represent the most versatile sector of the economy in Germany. It comprises manufacturing, construction, engineering, maintenance, repair and services. Companies focus on small-scale, individual work in which modern technology has nowadays supplanted much of the old manual tradition the sector is still proud of.
Thus, affiliation to the sector is not determined by size, as in most other countries. However, the overwhelming majority of companies of the sector are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as defined in Germany and in the European Union. In fact, most of the companies are micro-enterprises (1-9 employees).
For about 887,000 enterprises are almost working 5 millions people, and nearly 500,000 apprentices receive a qualified vocational training. Because of that 12.8 per cent of all salaried employees and about 31 per cent of all apprentices in Germany are working in trade & craft. In 2004 the turnover of the trade has achieved approximately 462 billions Euro.
Skilled crafts sector in the trade Corporation district Schwerin
The trade corporation district of the Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts covers the western part of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It includes the state capital of Schwerin, the hanseatic city of Wismar an the regional districts of Ludwigslust, Parchim, Nordwestmecklenburg and Güstrow.
Round about 7,500 skilled craft enterprises are currently active within the trade corporation district of Schwerin. The employees in trade & craft have reached the number of about 40,000 inclusive of the almost 4,100 registered apprenticeships.
Mission an function of the Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts
The Schwerin Chamber's mission is to promote a strong and competitive skilled crafts sector by supporting its member enterprises in pursuing their business in a favourable socio-economic environment, in securing and expanding their markets and in having qualified personnel at their disposal.
To fulfil its mission, the Chamber assumes three functions:
1. Service delivery:
This function mainly comprises business consultancy, information and training. For example: The small and medium-sized companies of the sector, unlike big enterprises, are not able to employ specialized staff or to hire consultants on the free market. Therefore, the Chamber provides a special consultancy service. It covers such topics as business management, business start-ups, financing, taxation, employment law, new technologies and technology transfer, export, trade and exhibitions, environmental issues, occupational health and safety design and restoration.
2. Self-administration:
This function entails fulfilling statutory tasks delegated by the state. These include business registration, promoting and supervising apprenticeship training, organizing exams, arbitration and litigation, providing chartered experts and issuing certificates of origin. By virtue of self-administration, the companies of the sector manage their own affairs instead of being governed by the state.
3. Advocacy:
The Chamber represents the interests of the sector towards the government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, state agencies, the media, and other relevant stakeholders. Being part of the network of Chambers and associations representing skilled crafts in Germany, it is able to voice its interests up to the national level.
The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (www.zdh.de) is the umbrella organisation of the skilled crafts in Germany. It represents the interests of the sector as a whole. The ZDH unites the 54 skilled craft Chambers and the 38 national confederations. A third membership group within the ZDH is made up of important economic and other institutions which attend to the specific needs of the craft sector: insurance companies, co-operative banks etc.
Strucure of the Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts
The Chamber is run by a board of directors. Members are the president (entrepreneur), two vice-presidents (1 entrepreneur, 1 representative of employees), and six further representatives (4 entrepreneurs, 2 representatives of employees). They all work on an honorary basis. Important decisions have to be approved by the general assembly (16 entrepreneurs, 8 representatives of employees).
On the executive side, the general manager heads five departments: internal administration and staff, business consultation, business registration and law and training. The full-time staff comprises 82 people. Four of them are apprentices.
The education and technology center of the Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts
The Academy of the Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts is a first-class and supremely well dealing partner in the vocational qualification. Here, highly competitive educational centers have been established, service facilities opened, and invested into ultra-modern equipment, devices and workshops. As an advisor and initiator of vocational qualification the Academy puts at the disposal a lot of individually shaped educational offers.
The Academy is in charge of a wide network of proficient specialists and experts, too, and co-operates with the Guilds, the District’s Trades, the Trade Associations as well as with a great deal of institutions at home and abroad, with technical colleges and universities.
Vocational training and Master Craftsman
The master craftsman's examinations is the most recognised and valuable title within the skilled crafts sector in Germany.
Vocational training in the skilled craft sector consists of initial and further vocational training and retraining. Initial vocational training in the individual trade is based on a national training regulation. After a training period of 3 to 3.5 years, which is provided by both the skilled craft company and the vocational training school in the so-called "dual system" (part-time vocational school and in-company training), the young apprentice passes an exam to become a skilled worker.
To set up one's own craft business in any of the 41 trades, candidates have to pass the master craftsman's examination or have an equivalent qualification. To participate in those advanced training, the applicant has to be a skilled worker with work experience. The examination covers practical and theoretical skills, legal and business administration as well as skills and knowledge in vocational training. Only those who have achieved master craftsman status or an equivalent status are entitled to set up their own business, take over a business from somebody else, and provide vocational training as an instructor for trainees in the company. People who have acquired the title master craftsman are entitled to study at higher education institutions such as skilled crafts academies or universities.
You see...
The Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts is a modern center of services for trade & craft. It is a strong partner for the individual skilled manual worker’s business to rely on. The chamber ist part of the very efficiently system of self-administration in german business. It is an important stability factor for the regional small business and it guarantees the quality of the professional training.
An increasing number of our member companies already has export relations with foreign clients or is seeking to co-operate in cross-border networks.
All inquiries regarding international business links with the skilled trades sector in our region will be highly welcome. We are also interested in networking with SME organisations in order to co-operate at a European level.
For further information and/or to make contact with companies in our region you can reach us via post, telephone, fax or email. We are available for you on 5 days a week (from monday to friday).
THE 94 TRADES OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND SKILLED CRAFTS SECTOR IN GERMANY
I Building and construction trades
- 1 Bricklayer and concrete constructor
- 2 Builder of ovens and hot-air heating systems
- 3 Carpenter
- 4 Roofer
- 5 Road builder
- 6 Insulator, heat, cold and noise insulation
- 7 Tile, plate and mosaic setter
- 8 Cement stone and terrazzo maker
- 9 Floor layer
- 10 Well builder
- 11 Stonemason and sculptor
- 12 Stucco plasterer
- 13 Painter and varnisher/lacquerer
- 14 Scaffold builder
- 15 Chimney-sweep
II Electrical and metal trades
- 16 Mechanical engineer, metal processing
- 17 Surgical instrument maker
- 18 Vehicle body and vehicle builder
- 19 Mechanical engineer, precision instruments, tools and machines
- 20 Motorcycle and bicycle mechanic
- 21 Engineer, refrigeration systems
- 22 Information technician, office equipment, radio, television
- 23 Automobile technician
- 24 Mechanic, agricultural machines
- 25 Gunsmith
- 26 Plumber
- 27 Mechanic, gas and water installations, central heating and ventilation
- 28 Builder, containers and apparatus
- 29 Technician, electrical/electronical systems
- 30 Constructor, electrical/electronical machines
- 31 Watchmaker
- 32 Engraver
- 33 Metal former
- 34 Galvanizer
- 35 Metal and and bell founder
- 36 Cutting tool mechanic
- 37 Gold and silver smith
III Woodwork trades
- 38 Joiner
- 39 Parquet floor layer
- 40 Maker of roller blinds and venetian blinds
- 41 Boat and ship builder
- 42 Model builder
- 43 Turner (ivory carver) and wooden toy maker
- 44 Wood sculptor
- 45 Cooper
- 46 Basket weaver
IV Clothing, textile and leather trades
- 47 Tailor
- 48 Embroiderer
- 49 Hatter
- 50 Weaver
- 51 Rope maker
- 52 Sail maker
- 53 Furrier
- 54 Shoemaker
- 55 Saddler and bag maker
- 56 Interior decorator
V Foodstuffs trades
- 57 Baker
- 58 Pastry cook
- 59 Butcher
- 60 (Grain) Miller
- 61 Brewer and maltster
- 62 Cellarman
VI Trades related to health and hygiene, and chemical and cleaning trades
- 63 Optometrist
- 64 Technician, hearing aids
- 65 Orthopaedic technician
- 66 Orthopaedic shoemaker
- 67 Dental technician
- 68 Hairdresser
- 69 Textile cleaner
- 70 (Wax) Chandler
- 71 Building cleaner
VII Glass, paper, ceramic and other trades
- 72 Glazier
- 73 Glass refiner
- 74 Precision engineer, optical components
- 75 Glass blower and glass apparatus maker
- 76 Glass and porcelain painter
- 77 Precious stone grinder and cutter
- 78 Photographer
- 79 Bookbinder
- 80 Drucker Book printer: typesetter; printer
- 81 (Silk-) Screen printer
- 82 Flexographer
- 83 Ceramist/Potter
- 84 Organ and harmonium maker
- 85 Piano and harpsichord maker
- 86 Hand-draw instrument maker
- 87 Violin maker
- 88 Bow maker
- 89 Brass instrument maker
- 90 Wood-wind instrument maker
- 91 Plucked instrument maker
- 92 Gilder
- 93 Display and neon sign maker
- 94 Vulcanizer and tire mechanic
Note: In addition to these 94 trades there is another group of 50 related trades. They also belong to the sector, but do not require a master craftsman diploma to be run as a business.
The most important are the wood and building protection and conservation trades and the trades of undertaker and beautician
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Schwerin Chamber of skilled crafts
Kathrin Fügel
Werkstraße 600
D-19061 Schwerin
fon +49 (0) 385 6435-182
fax +49 (0) 385 61 30 68
further information:
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