State government presents craft report

Funding for skilled trades in North Rhine-Westphalia increased by 55 percent in 2024 and 2025, according to the state government's report on skilled trades for the past two years.

The North Rhine-Westphalia state government has published its report on skilled trades for the years 2024 and 2025. The report provides an overview of its support for skilled trades through direct funding programs and indirect measures developed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first report of this kind was published in 2015.

The measures described in the report are divided into seven areas of action. In addition, the state government distinguishes three categories of measures with regard to their target group, the determinability of the funding amount, and their financial relevance.

Areas of action and categoriesSeven areas of action:
Start-ups, acquisitions and business management; qualification and securing skilled workers; innovation and technology transfer, digitalization and cybersecurity; resource and energy efficiency, climate protection; promotion of voluntary work in the skilled trades and image; institutional support and other measures.

Three categories:
Category A: Measures that were directly aimed at the skilled trades or at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general, and for which the amount of funding allocated to the skilled trades could be specifically determined.
Category B: Measures that were generally aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but where the amount of funding allocated to the skilled trades could not be precisely determined.
Category C: Measures for or with the skilled trades, which, however, did not develop any financial relevance in the form of subsidies and were generally not separately shown in the state's budget. 

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the federal government, and the EU have supported the skilled trades sector in North Rhine-Westphalia with 25 measures over the past two years. Nearly €283 million has been allocated for this purpose. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia's share amounted to more than €116 million. According to the report, this represents an increase of approximately 55 percent compared to the previous reporting period.

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In Category A, funding totaling nearly €283 million was provided (approximately €144,7 million in 2024 plus approximately €138,2 million in 2025). Category B received approximately €76,7 million in 2024 and approximately €157,5 million in 2025 – a total of more than €234 million. The report also includes eleven measures that either do not constitute support for the skilled trades in the form of grants or for which budget funds were not separately allocated (Category C).

Funding from the state, EU, and federal governments by year and category

The majority of the funds provided in Category A, approximately 85 percent in each of the years 2024 and 2025, were allocated to measures in the area of ​​skills development and securing skilled workers. The funding in Category B was largely used in the areas of skills development and securing skilled workers (approximately 43,4 percent) and resource and energy efficiency, climate protection (approximately 49,5 percent).

"The current report on skilled trades shows that the state government is consistently investing across departments in start-ups, business succession, qualification and the transformation of the skilled trades using various instruments. In doing so, it is making an important contribution to unlocking potential and strengthening the skilled trades sector and its importance for regional value creation, employment and training," explains Andreas Ehlert.

Targeted support and a business-friendly environment

Trades Report : Read the detailed trades report from the state government here . The president of Handwerk.NRW (the North Rhine-Westphalia trades association) stated that the Modernization Pact II for inter-company training centers is a particularly important building block for modern and future-proof vocational training in the trades . "At the same time," he added, "effective trades policy requires not only targeted support but also, and above all, a business-friendly environment with favorable conditions for companies."

This included a modern and efficient infrastructure, faster planning and approval processes, and a consistent reduction of bureaucratic burdens. "The relief package initiated by the state government, with the extensive elimination of reporting and documentation requirements, is therefore an important signal," says Ehlert.

"Craftsmanship is an enabler"

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is a reliable partner for the skilled trades, emphasizes Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur (Greens). She explains that the skilled trades enable the greatest challenges of the future and are indispensable for an innovative, economically strong, and climate-neutral North Rhine-Westphalia. "Without skilled trades, there would be no energy-efficient building renovations, no expansion of renewable energies, no modern homes, and no trained specialists for tomorrow. That's why we are providing targeted support to our skilled trades businesses to remain competitive, drive innovation, and continue training apprentices."

Craftsmen are indispensable for the economy and the common good, says Labor Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU). "They build our houses, repair our heating systems, and maintain important technical systems. At the same time, the shortage of skilled workers in the trades is a particular challenge, which is why it is more important than ever to give young people insights into skilled trades. Craft businesses provide the largest share of internships. We must specifically strengthen training companies."

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