The heads of the Brandenburg Chambers of Skilled Crafts, the state government, and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) presented the action program in Potsdam. (Photo: © Karsten Hintzmann)
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June 2026
The state government, chambers of crafts and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) have signed the action program "Future of Crafts in the State of Brandenburg", which is valid until 2029.
The top representatives of the skilled trades met with Minister-President Dietmar Woidke , Minister of Economic Affairs Martina Klement , Minister of Education Gordon Hoffmann , other government representatives and Nele Techen, deputy chairwoman of the DGB district Berlin-Brandenburg , in the master craftsmen's hall of the Potsdam Chamber of Skilled Crafts for the signing and presentation of the action program.
With the revised action program, the partners agree on measures to support businesses in securing skilled workers, implementing the energy transition, promoting business succession and start-ups, and strengthening self-governance structures in the skilled trades . They agree to continue and further develop proven funding instruments and to implement additional, needs-based measures. The partners are relying on a strong social partnership to ensure good working conditions for employees in the skilled trades and to increase the attractiveness of the sector as an employer.
Following the official signing ceremony, Minister-President Dietmar Woidke stated: "The skilled trades, businesses, and their employees are a guarantor of prosperity and a secure workforce in the state, as well as social anchors in Brandenburg's regions. Through their voluntary commitment to examination boards and associations, tradespeople make an invaluable contribution to the common good in Brandenburg. This deserves special recognition. The new action program lays the foundation for cooperation between the skilled trades and the state government for the coming years. The skilled trades can rely on the state government's support."
Minister of Economic Affairs Martina Klement added: "With the new action program, we are providing targeted incentives to safeguard the competitiveness of craft businesses. We are supporting the skilled trades with targeted funding programs and ensuring practical framework conditions and tangible relief for businesses. Master craftspeople assume entrepreneurial responsibility, ensure quality, and make a crucial contribution to the training of skilled young professionals. As the state government, we will recognize this with a bonus for successfully completed master craftsman examinations."
Craft policy
Craft policy
Craft policy
Robert Wüst , President of the Potsdam Chamber of Skilled Crafts, said: "The action program is an important commitment by the state government to Brandenburg's skilled trades. It is now crucial that the agreements quickly translate into tangible relief for businesses. The promised support for inter-company apprentice training is an important building block in this: it ensures the quality of training, relieves the burden on businesses, and strengthens the skilled workforce of tomorrow. Equally important is a reduction in bureaucracy that actually impacts day-to-day operations. Anyone who wants to strengthen the skilled trades must finally eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens so that our businesses have more time for training, customers, and orders. Because especially in the rural state of Brandenburg, it becomes clear every day what depends on the skilled trades: local supply, regional value creation, training, and stability in the regions."
Corina Reifenstein , President of the Cottbus Chamber of Skilled Crafts , pointed to the upcoming transformation processes in the skilled trades: "The goal must be to secure business succession early on and to make entrepreneurship tangible in schools. Student internships for grades 8 and 10, as well as the newly created statewide internship platform, serve this purpose. The master craftsman start-up grant and the new master craftsman bonus provide clear incentives for young people to realize their own business ideas and create apprenticeships. In this way, we strengthen not only businesses, but also community, education, and the future viability of our state."
Wolf-Harald Krüger , President of the Frankfurt (Oder) Chamber of Skilled Crafts , highlighted the skilled trades' contribution to the energy transition: "Craft businesses have a dual role in the energy transition: They are energy consumers themselves and, at the same time, the ones who implement many measures in practice. In the coming years, solar panels will need to be installed, wind turbines erected, buildings insulated, heating systems replaced, and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles expanded. This requires efficient skilled trades businesses. A prerequisite is that energy remains securely available and affordable. Energy costs must decrease, because energy efficiency and energy-efficient building renovations require investment. Businesses and customers need stable framework conditions, reliable planning, and appropriate incentives. Policymakers must ensure this and support it with practical programs."
Nele Techen , deputy chair of the DGB (German Trade Union Confederation) Berlin-Brandenburg district, focused on shaping working conditions: "Those who want to attract and retain skilled workers need good working conditions. Increased collective bargaining coverage is the most powerful lever for this. The DGB is therefore advocating for a law on adherence to collective agreements in Brandenburg and is bringing state politics, chambers of skilled crafts, and works councils together in dialogue for good jobs. Voluntary engagement fosters social cohesion and democratic participation. The DGB strengthens this engagement."
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