"Craftsmanship is an important building block for reconstruction"

Five years after the devastating floods, the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Construction, the WHKT (Westphalian Chamber of Skilled Crafts), and the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts have concluded the state initiative "Skilled Crafts in Reconstruction." In Odenthal, they reviewed their collaboration.

Reforestation of forests to preserve drinking water

Only a healthy, green forest can ensure a balanced water supply. However, persistently high temperatures and drought are currently putting forests under pressure. Since water is an essential source of life, Krombacher supports the preservation of stable forests with a large-scale reforestation program.

Bernhard Blanke, Münster Chamber of Skilled Crafts; Felix Kendziora, Aachen Chamber of Skilled Crafts; Sonja Kawlath, DGB NRW; Alexander Hengst, Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts; Thorben Albrecht, DGB NRW; Marc Giering, Dortmund Chamber of Skilled Crafts; Dr. Florian Hartmann, Managing Director of the West German Association of Chambers of Skilled Crafts and Ralf Noltemeyer, East Westphalia-Lippe Chamber of Skilled Crafts in Bielefeld (from left) (Photo: © SteFan Bröker/SteFans Point Of View)

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Fireside chat with DGB-NRW chairman Thorben Albrecht

Craft policy

May 2026

The employee vice presidents of the NRW Chambers of Skilled Crafts discussed the social security systems with Thorben Albrecht, chairman of the DGB NRW.

In Raesfeld, the employee vice presidents of the North Rhine-Westphalian Chambers of Skilled Crafts met with Thorben Albrecht, chairman of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) NRW, to discuss various topics. These included social security systems from the employee perspective, recruiting young people for voluntary work, and the European Multiannual Financial Framework.

Source: (WHKT)

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Text: Lars Otten / handwerksblatt.de

Baden-Württemberg is raising the profile of skilled trades

At the start of the new state government: Baden-Württemberg is now the only German state to have enshrined skilled trades in the title of a ministry. "This is a compass for the next legislative period," according to the Baden-Württemberg Skilled Trades Association.

May 2026

Craft policy

Crafts and small and medium-sized enterprises: Urgent need for action at EU level

The Bavarian Crafts Association and the West German Crafts Association jointly hosted an event at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria in Brussels. The focus was on increasing the visibility of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the skilled trades at the EU level.

May 2026

Craft policy

Self-employed, pregnant, financially secure

In Berlin, representatives from politics, trade and society discussed ways to improve maternity protection for self-employed women.

May 2026

Craft policy

Defense. Resilience. Craftsmanship.

To discuss the requirements and opportunities for craft businesses arising from the changing security policy situation, the NRW craft sector invited representatives from politics, procurement and practice to a conference.

June 2026