State election in Rhineland-Palatinate: This is what the SPD says about craft policy

Ahead of the state elections in Rhineland-Palatinate, the parliamentary groups represented in the state parliament are answering questions on issues related to skilled trades policy. Here you will find the SPD's answers.

State elections will be held in Rhineland-Palatinate on March 22, 2026. In the run-up to the election, the trade associations have published their demands. In them, they outline the framework conditions necessary to secure the future viability of the trades in the state. We asked the SPD – as well as the other parliamentary groups represented in the state parliament – ​​how they view these demands. Demands of the skilled trades regarding the state elections They stand and what their positions are.

➡️ You can find the positions of the other factions here. via this link

The SPD's top candidate in Rhineland-Palatinate is... Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer The parliamentary group leader of the SPD in Rhineland-Palatinate is... Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthäler.

DHB: How do you intend to improve the framework conditions for the skilled trades – what will you, as the future state government, do to ensure that an "industrial electricity tariff" also reaches the skilled trades?
SPD: The SPD aims to comprehensively improve the framework for skilled trades and is relying on a package of interconnected measures. We see great opportunities in digitalization and artificial intelligence, and we support innovation in the skilled trades with a targeted digitalization initiative and funding programs. At the same time, we are providing relief to businesses through tax cuts, deregulation, and lower energy costs.

A key focus is securing skilled workers: through facilitated immigration, faster recognition procedures, and strengthening vocational training with the Advanced Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegs-BAföG) and the Advanced Training Bonus I and II programs, which also promote business start-ups. Since family businesses are the backbone of the skilled trades, the SPD is committed to ensuring equal living conditions so that skilled workers and their families are happy to remain in the country.

Free childcare from the age of two and the expansion of all-day schools improve the compatibility of family and career. In addition, we are investing funds from the special fund in a high-performing infrastructure from which craft businesses directly benefit.

DHB: How do you intend to reduce bureaucracy?
SPD: From the SPD's perspective, reducing bureaucracy is a key lever for providing targeted relief to craft businesses and strengthening their competitiveness. We are committed to reducing bureaucratic costs by 25 percent, simplifying procedures, and significantly accelerating permitting processes. Digital building applications, streamlined and faster tendering procedures, and raised thresholds below EU limits will reduce time and costs, especially for small and medium-sized craft businesses.

The elimination of written form requirements and reporting obligations, along with the expansion of digital administrative services—for example, for starting a craft business or registering and re-registering vehicles—significantly simplifies day-to-day operations. Rhineland-Palatinate is consistently driving this process forward with two comprehensive packages of measures. A planned municipal experimentation clause will also enable new, practical solutions. Our goal is clear: less bureaucracy, more time for skilled trades, and secure, high-quality work.

DHB: How does the SPD intend to advance the education initiative and strengthen the – also societal – equality of dual vocational training and university studies in the future?
SPD: From 2026 to 2031, we are planning a further education initiative that will have an impact extending into vocational training and employment. It is important to us that all children and young people have a solid grasp of the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. To achieve this, mandatory language testing will be conducted as early as age 4,5, and – if necessary – language support measures will be initiated for the children. The existing language network in daycare centers (currently 350) will also be significantly expanded for this purpose.

In our schools, we ensure that our children and young people receive excellent support and targeted assistance. Schools, particularly those in challenging circumstances, will receive more staff through multi-professional teams and improved, high-quality all-day care. Furthermore, practical experience and career orientation modules will be expanded in schools, and career coordinators will be specifically strengthened to ensure smooth transitions into vocational training and employment.

Despite the nationwide shortage of skilled workers, we have recently been able to hire more than 1.000 new teachers annually: We will continue on this path. This is also reflected in the state government's Letter of Intent, issued jointly with the leading municipal associations, urging municipalities to utilize funds from the special fund for schools. Furthermore, we will strengthen the equivalence – including societal equivalence – of vocational training and university studies in the future. The SPD Rhineland-Palatinate is committed to a strong and modern skilled trades sector.

We stand for the equality of all educational pathways, because our dual vocational training system is rightly envied abroad. In the future, we want to inspire more young people to pursue skilled trades, and this can be achieved through targeted career guidance in all types of schools. Because we need well-trained tradespeople, both as skilled workers and as future master craftspeople, who will then establish their own businesses and generate added value locally. 

DHB: How do you intend to boost housing construction and modernize the infrastructure?
SPD: Rhineland-Palatinate is working resolutely with the federal government to create affordable housing. The state budget for 2025/2026 nearly doubled funding for social housing in Rhineland-Palatinate – to €350 million annually. To make construction faster, simpler, and more efficient, our Social Democratic Ministers for Construction at both the state and federal levels have initiated corresponding measures, including amendments to the state building code and the creation of a "construction accelerator" program at the federal level.

The state government's deregulation initiative, launched in 2024, also benefits the acceleration of housing construction and the modernization of infrastructure. Combined with the special fund and the Rhineland-Palatinate Plan for Education, Climate, and Infrastructure, this enables a massive investment offensive. As the SPD, we intend to consistently pursue this path (strong investments, targeted funding, and simpler framework conditions).

DHB: How do you intend to create investment opportunities for municipalities?
SPD: The aforementioned special fund creates additional scope for action for the state and municipalities and enables targeted investments, for example, in transport routes, digital infrastructure, educational institutions, hospitals, and a climate-neutral energy supply. In addition, the state supports municipalities in their undoubtedly significant challenges through a variety of other measures, including the considerably increased municipal financial equalization, the immediate action program "Effective Municipalities," the Regional Future Program, and, last but not least, the historic debt relief of three billion euros.

The state government's deregulation measures are also clearly aimed at expanding the scope of action for municipalities. For us in the SPD, it is therefore clear: we must not let up in our efforts here. We also hold the federal government accountable – because the principle applies: "He who orders, pays."

DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!