Craftsmen

What is craftsmanship?

Craftsmanship is the heart of the middle class and the economic engine in Germany. With its wide range of goods and services, craftsmanship creates high-quality products and customized solutions through its close relationship with customers. Craftsmanship caters not only to individuals but also to industry, trade, and the public sector. It is also highly diverse and includes the following sectors:

• Construction and expansion
• Metal and electronics
• Wood and plastic
• Building cleaning
• Handcrafted food
• Healthcare and body care
• Clothing, textiles, and leather
• Graphic design

The German craft sector in numbers:

1 million

Medium-sized companies are part of the craft sector.

5.4 million

Millions of people worked in the craft sector in 2024.

Start your career in German craftsmanship.

In addition to a long tradition and a dual apprenticeship lasting 2 to 3.5 years, craftsmanship also brings significant innovation. This is why craftsmanship offers future security and attractive opportunities for growth, such as further training and the possibility of independent professional activity as a master craftsman. Skilled workers are particularly in demand in the following sectors:

Construction

In the construction sector, there is a particularly high number of professions currently experiencing a strong demand for skilled labor in Germany.

• Construction: In the building sector, you plan and construct structures that are above ground level.
  • Concrete mixer or concrete worker and metal construction worker: In addition to producing concrete and reinforced concrete, you create formwork before transforming various parts on construction sites, such as stairs, walls, bridges, and dams, for example.
  • As a mason, you primarily work outdoors on construction sites, both independently and as part of a team with colleagues, project managers, and architects. You are not only responsible for masonry work but also for planning and fabrication.
• Public works: As part of a team, you are involved in the construction and planning of structures located above or below the ground, such as tunnels, roads, railways, and pipelines. As a skilled public works worker, you perform physically demanding construction tasks, but you can also work as a civil engineer.
  • As well digger and well driller, You drill underground to make potable water accessible. You drill wells, install pipelines, and set up pumping stations for water.
  • As railway construction companyFor example, you install rails and switches and construct level crossings. You are also responsible for track inspection and repairs.
  • The construction of pipelines and tunnels: as pipeline builder and constructorYou install pipes, build sewage pipelines, and renovate old pipes. As a.  Railway track builder You work with construction machines to detach layers of rock, secure tunnels, build ventilation shafts, and much more.
  • The construction of roads and asphalt: as asphalt manufacturerYou prepare and apply asphalt mixtures. As a road builderYou build roads, highways, sidewalks, and airfields, and carry out repairs. You work with construction machinery, but also with your hands.
• Dry construction: In dry construction, you build interior walls, ceilings, and floors with lightweight, dry materials such as plasterboards (without concrete or cement) to create spaces quickly and flexibly. For example, you can work as a drywall installer or interior construction specialist.  ceiling installer or ceiling installer in dry construction or like skilled worker in finishing work.

In addition to the construction sector, skilled labor is particularly in demand in the following craft sectors:

• Plumber: As a plumber, you carry out various preparatory work on metal or plastic construction elements in your workshop and then install them on buildings, for example, on roofs and facades. In addition to new buildings, this may also involve renovations to meet new environmental requirements in areas such as energy consumption systems, wastewater drainage, and thermal insulation.
• Sanitary, heating, and air conditioning mechanic: In this profession, you install water and air supply systems (sanitary installations) in buildings, as well as heating systems such as solar installations, heat pumps, and wood pellet systems, for example. In addition to the manual processing and machining of pipes, sheets, and profiles, you are also responsible for regularly checking the functionality of the various systems after installation. Furthermore, you install smart systems and software specific to the devices.
• As a floor installer, you are involved in the project from start to finish, including customer consultation, preparing the floor, laying the flooring, and possibly surface treatment. You can earn your master craftsman title in parquet installation.
• Energy technology electronics technician: In this profession, you work from construction/planning to final acceptance and after-sales service, including the manufacturing/installation of electronic systems. You will mainly find job openings in automation technology, energy supply, mechanical and installation engineering, as well as in the automotive industry.
• Building cleaner: In this essential profession, you work in offices or public buildings such as administrative buildings, hospitals, and swimming pools, as well as in public transport and parks. Strategic actions are required to select the appropriate tools and to properly dose cleaning products.
• Automotive mechatronics technician: In this profession, you handle the maintenance of motor vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, etc. You check systems, perform measurements (such as exhaust gases), repair, and install accessories. Automotive mechatronics technicians can also work in the field of electromobility.

The title of master craftsman

If you have learned a craft profession, you can also pursue further training in Germany to become a master craftsman. The title of master craftsman is a state-recognized continuing education certificate and a quality criterion for management positions. Especially for craft professions that require authorization, you often need a master craftsman title to start your own business. Read the...  German Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung) to find out which craft professions require authorization and which do not.

Nation's trainer

Craftsmanship not only contributes to the prosperity of society but also to the training of skilled workers. 29% of apprentices are employed in the craft sector. However, many apprenticeship positions remain unfilled. Germany is therefore urgently seeking new talent. Find out about internships, apprenticeship positions, and trainee roles in craftsmanship 

Do I need a visa?

As a citizen of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa or residence permit to work in Germany. Citizens from other countries require a residence permit to engage in professional activities in Germany. In the "Visa" section, you can learn more about the work visa for skilled workers.

Do I need recognition?

For regulated professions, you need recognition of your foreign qualification in order to work in Germany. For non-regulated professions, recognition of foreign qualifications is generally not a prerequisite. However, if you are from a country outside the EU and need a visa or work permit for Germany, recognition is mandatory. In the case of vocational training, you must go through the recognition procedure. In our "Recognition" section, you can learn more about the professional recognition process.

If you have applied for the recognition of your qualification and the recognition service in Germany has found that you are missing some qualifications for full recognition, find out if the visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications might be an option for you.