High honor for Chamber of Skilled Crafts President Kurt Krautscheid: Rhineland-Palatinate Business Medal

At the New Year's reception of the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts, Chamber President Kurt Krautscheid was awarded the Rhineland-Palatinate Economic Medal by Minister of Economic Affairs Daniela Schmitt.

That was a truly special moment: In the festive setting of the New Year's reception of the Chamber of Crafts (HwK) Koblenz the novel Chamber of Skilled Crafts President Kurt Krautscheid familiar with the Economic Medal of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate excellent. The award was presented by Economics Minister Daniela Schmitt and surprised Kurt Krautscheid on stage in front of more than 600 guests, because the honoree knew nothing about the special award until that moment.

Kurt Krautscheid has been advocating for the skilled trades for decades.

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate awards the Economic Medal to honor... Kurt Krautscheid's extraordinary and tireless commitment to the trades"Kurt Krautscheid embodies responsibility, reliability, and commitment in the skilled trades like few others. He combines entrepreneurial success with decades of voluntary service – for his profession, for his region, and for our country," said Minister of Economic Affairs Daniela Schmitt at the award ceremony. "With a clear stance, a willingness to engage in dialogue, and a special sensitivity to people, he has significantly shaped the voice of the skilled trades in relation to politics and society."

For decades, the now 64-year-old has been volunteering with passion and great expertise in trade policy for the interests of businesses, for good training conditions and a strong representation of the interests of the trades – regionally, statewide and at the federal level.

The self-employed master roofer from Neustadt (Wied; Neuwied district, Krautscheid Roofing GmbHHe has been closely connected to the trades since his youth. After completing his roofing apprenticeship, obtaining his university entrance qualification, and passing his master craftsman's examination, he took over his parents' business in Neustadt in 1985. He also became involved in the self-governance of the trades at an early stage.

His work developed continuously through positions as head of the roofing guild of Neuwied, district master craftsman and board member of the general assembly, until he was elected president of the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts in 2014.

Furthermore, Kurt Krautscheid has long contributed his experience and expertise at the state and federal levels, including in the presidium of the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH), to which he has belonged since 2015. Krautscheid has always been considered a reliable contact person who seeks exchange and is unwaveringly and emphatically committed to sustainable solutions.

Big surprise: "The Chamber of Skilled Crafts is absolutely watertight"

The awarding of the Economic Medal at the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts' New Year's reception was a visible and well-deserved sign of appreciation – both for Kurt Krautscheid's personal achievements and for the importance of skilled trades in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The honoree reacted as expected: quick-witted, friendly, and humorous: "As a roofer, I'd like to take this opportunity to commend the Chamber of Skilled Crafts, because it's absolutely watertight; nothing leaks through," he said, addressing the surprise, which hadn't reached him until then—and which he was all the more pleased about. "I feel very honored and am delighted by this great appreciation. It also motivates me to continue my work."

To the background: The Rhineland-Palatinate Economic Medal is an award for outstanding entrepreneurial achievements and special commitment to the economy of the federal state and is always awarded by the respective Minister of Economic Affairs. The medal honors individuals who contribute to the economic landscape through innovation, sustainable development, and the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and who thus make an exceptional commitment to economic development and structural change in Rhineland-Palatinate.

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