Unity in the state parliament: No future without skilled trades

In the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament, skilled trades were the focus of a current debate. The topics included securing skilled workers, bureaucracy, energy prices, training, and succession planning. There was general agreement on the importance of skilled trades.

Shortly before the state elections (March 22) in Rhineland-Palatinate, the five parliamentary groups represented in the state parliament – ​​the SPD, CDU, Alliance 90/The Greens, FDP, and the Free Voters group – had the opportunity to state their positions on skilled trades. This took place during the last parliamentary session of this legislative period. "No future without skilled trades – How do we protect the 'economic power next door'?" The topic of the current affairs debate, requested by the Free Voters group, was [the subject of the debate]. It was unanimously emphasized that the skilled trades, with their approximately 55.000 businesses, around 260.000 employees – including 18.000 trainees – and an annual turnover of approximately 37,1 billion euros (2025), are one of the cornerstones of the state's economy. 

Free Voters: "Young entrepreneurs need better prospects"

Helge Schwab (Member of the State Parliament, Free Voters Group) Schwab opened the debate with a historical reference: Bismarck had already recognized small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a cornerstone of a healthy state. Today, however, Schwab argued, parliaments are dominated by the view of large corporations, while SMEs, particularly those in the skilled trades, play only a minor role in relief and protection measures. He warned against a "two-tier economy" favoring large corporations, criticized the industrial electricity price tailored to industry, and denounced the subsidy logic that gives established companies preferential treatment over startups and business successors. Young entrepreneurs in the skilled trades need better prospects – even in the event of failure.

Schwab sharply criticized misguided developments in education policy: Instead of abolishing fundamental skills like long division, he argued, we must "go back to basics." His message was clear: Skills for vocational training cannot be replaced by computers. He also pointed out that smaller businesses face numerous bureaucratic hurdles in tendering processes and obtaining permits. In his second statement, he called for increased investment in inter-company training centers, the modernization of vocational training centers, and a "round table" discussion on the role of skilled trades in the energy transition.

SPD: "The state is setting standards with the promotion bonus"

The SPD countered with a broad defense of existing craft policy. Dr. Anna Köbberling (Member of the State Parliament) He pointed to the approximately 55.000 craft businesses in the state, which shape the character of the communities and contribute enormously, but suffer from a shortage of skilled workers, succession problems, and increasing demands. The state is investing strategically and with millions of euros in inter-company training facilities, currently, for example, in the new construction of the Trier Chamber of Skilled Crafts' Vocational Training and Technology Center and the new vocational training center of the Rhine-Hesse Chamber of Skilled Crafts. Inter-company apprentice training alone receives over four million euros in funding annually.

In addition, there is the career advancement bonus. "The state is setting standards here," said Köbberling. Anyone who completes a master craftsman's examination or comparable advanced training receives support with the first career advancement bonus, and those who then take the step into self-employment receive further assistance with the second career advancement bonus. Six million euros are allocated annually for this purpose. Köbberling also highlighted career guidance, training ambassadors, internship weeks, coaches for in-company training, and special programs for young people with a migration background. "Through the coaches alone, almost 1200 young people find suitable training each year." The state government also promotes business and digitalization consulting. "The economic powerhouse next door is strong. But that's not a given. It needs reliability, investment, and political decisions that are geared towards the realities of businesses. Strengthening the skilled trades strengthens training, jobs, and regional value creation," was Anna Köbberling's message.

CDU demands a reduction in electricity tax for all companies

For the CDU, he emphasized Petra Schneider (Member of the State Parliament)The economic and social importance of skilled trades: "Without local tradespeople, there would be no housing construction, no energy transition, no functioning infrastructure, and ultimately no prosperity in Rhineland-Palatinate. Skilled trades are the backbone of our social market economy." At the same time, many businesses are experiencing "the opposite of appreciation": high energy prices, bureaucracy, a shortage of skilled workers, and a lack of reliability are holding them back.

The CDU called for a reduction in the electricity tax for all companies. Regarding the reduction of bureaucracy, Schneider advocated for digital, seamless processes, notification requirements instead of permits, and a culture of trust towards businesses. In education policy, the CDU demanded mandatory language proficiency assessments before starting school, centralized graduation standards, more practical experience, and mandatory internships for students – at least one in a skilled trade. Vocational education must be given equal status with academic education, for example, through free master craftsman training, strong vocational training centers, student dormitories, and dual-study programs modeled on the Baden-Württemberg system. 

Greens: Climate-friendly crafts secure jobs and regional value creation 

For the Green Party faction, Lisett Stuppy (Member of the State Parliament) The focus is on the role of skilled trades in everyday life and in the transformation process. Whether it's a heating system failure, a daycare center renovation, or a solar panel installation on the town hall roof – skilled trades are in demand everywhere. In rural areas, the employment rate in skilled trades is around 30 percent higher than in cities; skilled trades are a key employer and a social glue there. At the same time, many businesses face unresolved succession issues, and thousands of apprenticeships remain unfilled.

The energy transition, Stuppy argued, "will not be implemented in the plenary hall, but in workshops, boiler rooms, and on rooftops." Climate protection, she asserted, is manual labor, and the "climate trades" secure jobs and regional value creation. Stuppy emphasized the sustainability of skilled trades – short supply chains, durable materials, repair instead of a throwaway mentality – as a living example of a circular economy. Good training requires modern vocational schools and workshops; programs such as "coaches for in-company training," the master craftsman bonus, the women entrepreneurs' award, and female role models should be continued and expanded. In her second statement, she called for greater visibility of skilled trades, particularly in secondary schools, a central training center for apprentices, and improved continuing education opportunities. The Green Party politician also advocated for a discounted nationwide public transport pass and a start-up grant for apprenticeships.

AfD: "Over-academization" is responsible for the shortage of skilled workers

The AfD primarily attacked education policy, the tax and contribution burden, and EU bureaucracy. Eugen Ziegler (Member of the State Parliament) Ziegler blamed the skilled worker shortage on "over-academization" and spoke of "political perverse incentives." He demanded the abolition of master craftsman examination fees, a significantly increased career advancement bonus, housing and travel allowances for apprentices from rural areas, and "statewide weeks of skilled trades" in schools. Structurally, he proposed a new "technically-practical" school model to foster talent in the skilled trades. Regarding bureaucracy reduction, Ziegler suggested mandatory practical tests for new laws, the principle of "one new rule, two eliminated," and an independent oversight board. In his second presentation, speaking as a master craftsman and business owner, he pointed to the wage gap with academic professions and called for tax relief so that businesses could pay higher wages and more attractive apprenticeship allowances.

FDP: 20 funding measures for skilled trades

The FDP state parliament member Marco Weber He first highlighted that Kurt Krautscheid, President of the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts, at whose New Year's reception the state government expressed its "thanks" for its work in the skilled trades sector. Weber listed a number of existing programs – from inter-company training centers, career advancement and master craftsman bonuses, to "DigiBoost," innovation promotion, the climate-friendly skilled trades campaign, and business succession support, up to the training bonus, which the FDP intends to introduce in the next legislative period.

Economics Minister Daniela Schmitt (FDP) She emphasized that at the numerous events and discussions she attended, she experienced a confident, dynamic, and cosmopolitan skilled trades sector that demands recognition and partnership on equal terms. With 56.000 businesses, 260.000 employees, 18.000 apprentices, and €37 billion in revenue, skilled trades are the "backbone" of the economy, particularly in rural areas and in voluntary work. Schmitt focused on the parity of vocational and academic education – the misconception that "only those who went into skilled trades" are capable of success must be dispelled. The minister highlighted the significantly increased state funding for inter-company apprentice training and investments from the special fund in modern equipment for training centers.

At the same time, she clarified that the master craftsman qualification in Rhineland-Palatinate is "already free of charge in many cases": "Up to 75 percent of the master craftsman training costs are covered by the Master Craftsman BAföG (a German student loan program), and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate compensates for the remaining amount with the advancement bonus. We are proud of this." She stated that there are a total of 20 funding programs and investments of €24,6 million in 2025 for skilled trades, vocational training, and continuing education. She placed particular emphasis on skilled immigration: Without it, the skilled trades "simply wouldn't function on a day-to-day basis." At the last master craftsman ceremony of the Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts, for example, 20 percent of the new master craftsmen and women were not from Germany. The state intends to support this development with welcome centers and accelerated, centralized procedures. Simultaneously, she called for improved framework conditions in Berlin to facilitate business succession.

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