Brandenburg's new red-black state government with Minister-President Dietmar Woidke. (Photo: © Brandenburg State Chancellery)
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April 2026
The new SPD-CDU state government presents its coalition agreement and addresses important demands of the skilled trades.
A new state government, a coalition of the SPD and CDU, has been in power in Brandenburg since March 18th . Dietmar Woidke (SPD) remains Minister-President , having led the state since 2013.
In early January 2026, the first coalition between the SPD and the BSW (Brandenburg Association of Skilled Crafts) in Germany collapsed after several BSW members of parliament left their parliamentary group, causing the coalition to lose its majority in the state parliament. In recent weeks, the SPD and CDU have held coalition negotiations and successfully concluded them with a coalition agreement . For the skilled trades sector, the content of the new coalition agreement is of paramount importance. Under the heading " Skilled Trades – Cornerstones of Brandenburg's Economy, " the SPD and CDU commit to " designing funding programs to be more favorable to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs )."
The inter-company apprenticeship training program is to be permanently secured , and the necessary budget funds for it are to be allocated long-term. The resulting relief for businesses is to be maintained "at least at the current level." Furthermore, the coalition partners intend to continue investing in the technical equipment of vocational training centers.
Vocational training plays a key role in the coalition agreement. The SPD and CDU aim to strengthen the dual system of vocational training "as an essential foundation for meeting the demand for skilled workers and as a gateway to qualified employment ." Furthermore, vocational and academic education will be treated equally in all future measures. The master craftsman qualification holds particular professional and social significance in the skilled trades . "At the federal level, we are committed to abolishing the costs of master craftsman training . We will continue the master craftsman start-up bonus, a proven instrument for promoting business start-ups and acquisitions in the skilled trades, and simplify its processing. In addition, we will reward successful master craftsman qualifications with a master craftsman bonus ."
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The section on entrepreneurship is also important for the skilled trades. The SPD and CDU want to spark greater interest in self-employment among young people while they are still in school and expand partnerships between schools and the skilled trades. Plans also include strengthening the internship platform of the Chambers of Skilled Crafts, launching an internship initiative in cooperation with social partners and chambers, and closer integration of existing start-up initiatives . However, an internship bonus, which the Chambers of Skilled Crafts have been demanding, is not yet included in the agreement.
The SPD-CDU coalition aims to accelerate the path to self-employment for aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups with a new "start-up accelerator ." Digital business registrations are to be processed more easily, and existing initiatives for business succession are to be better networked. The 37-page coalition agreement concludes with a catalog of 60 projects. Among other things, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is called upon to ensure a simpler application process for the master craftsman start-up grant and the introduction of the master craftsman bonus.
The Ministry of Infrastructure is also expected to facilitate the reintroduction of the trainee ticket this year . The new trainee ticket is slated to launch in Brandenburg after the summer and will cost €37,80 per month . The revision of the building code and the building fee regulations is also expected to be completed this year. Under the heading of " bureaucracy reduction, " the aim is to "reduce and consolidate reporting, information, verification, documentation, and retention obligations."
Robert Wüst , President of the Brandenburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts , gives a generally positive assessment of the coalition agreement : "In the current economic climate, our businesses need planning security and clear political guidelines. The strengthening of master craftsman training, enshrined in the coalition agreement, sends an important signal to Brandenburg's skilled trades sector. The master craftsman qualification is the key qualification that ensures quality, enables innovation, and forms the basis for training and business succession. The announced master craftsman bonus and the further development of the master craftsman start-up grant create urgently needed additional incentives for taking the step into self-employment. At a time when thousands of businesses in Brandenburg are facing a generational change, this is a crucial contribution to securing our economic foundation. We expect further important impetus from the announced 'start-up accelerator'."
Securing long-term funding for training courses and equipment in vocational training centers for skilled trades will strengthen the quality of vocational training and simultaneously provide financial relief to training companies. The reintroduction of a trainee ticket and the expansion of trainee housing options are also long overdue steps that will significantly strengthen dual vocational training. Especially in a large, sparsely populated state like Brandenburg, affordability of mobility and housing are crucial factors in the training of young people. Wüst also reminded the public that the previous government had promised support for the skilled trades, for example, regarding energy costs, securing skilled workers, and reducing bureaucracy . Robert Wüst: " These issues remain urgent. "
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