Federal Prize for Craftsmanship in Monument Preservation launches in North Rhine-Westphalia

The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) and the German Foundation for Monument Protection are once again launching the Federal Prize for Craftsmanship in Monument Preservation. This year, owners of listed buildings and qualified craft businesses from North Rhine-Westphalia are eligible to participate.

The winners of the German Skilled Trades Championship in North Rhine-Westphalia come from all seven chambers of skilled crafts in the state. (Photo: © Sarah Rauch, Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts)

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German Championship in Crafts: 73 State Champions from North Rhine-Westphalia

Craft policy

November 2025

The North Rhine-Westphalian trades sector honored the state winners of the German Skilled Trades Championship. The 73 top performers from North Rhine-Westphalia were recognized and will now compete in the national competition.

The winners of the German Skilled Trades Championship in North Rhine-Westphalia come from all seven chambers of skilled crafts in the state. The 73 state champions were honored at the closing ceremony of the West German Chamber of Crafts (WHKT) honored at the Leverkusen casino, they will now start in the national competition.

Matthias Heidmeier, State Secretary in the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Labor, and WHKT President Berthold Schröder congratulated the winners. "The victory at the state level is not only a success for the participants, but also a credit to our training companies and vocational schools, and thus impressive proof of the strength of our dual vocational training system," said Schröder.

High quality vocational education

"The state champions impressively demonstrate the strength of skilled trades. Their achievements are proof of the high quality of vocational training in our country. For economic growth and securing skilled workers, we need young people who successfully complete apprenticeships now more than ever. An apprenticeship is an excellent foundation for a secure and bright future. We must convey this message to society," said Heidmeier.

The German Skilled Trades Championship is Europe's largest vocational competition, with around three thousand participants annually in one hundred and thirty skilled trades. The 2025 North Rhine-Westphalia state competition was held under the patronage of the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst.