Photo: © Philine Günther

Trier Chamber of Crafts | December 2025

More political weight for the skilled trades

"The skilled trades in the Trier region remain an anchor of stability – resilient, responsible and supportive," said Managing Director Axel Bettendorf at the autumn general meeting.

Photo: © Klaus Baumeister/WN

Chamber of Crafts Münster | December 2025

Mühlenhof sets up hostel for journeymen

An extraordinary project is taking shape at the Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum in Münster. The main financier is the Paul Schnitker Foundation.

Photo: © Kittipong Jirasukhanont /123RF.com

Trier Chamber of Crafts | December 2025

WFG Impulse on AI and Leadership

Leadership in digital transformation: Challenges for new leadership styles and opportunities for relief through AI technologies – that is the topic of the next WFG ImPuls.

Photo: © xalanx/123RF.com

Koblenz Chamber of Crafts | December 2025

Starting together – preventing dropouts

The Koblenz Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Trades (HwK Koblenz) supports trainees and companies with targeted coaching to overcome challenges in training.

Photo: © Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/123RF.com

Operations management | December 2025

How tradespeople can financially prepare for old age

Business leaders who plan their retirement early are acting wisely – not only in their own interest, but also in the interest of their descendants. An expert explains what they can do.

Photo: © Jozef Micic/123RF.com

Operations management | December 2025

Number of company bankruptcies at a ten-year high

The number of corporate insolvencies in Germany rose by 8,3 percent to 23.900. This includes almost 20.000 micro-enterprises with fewer than ten employees, reports Creditreform.

Photo: © Lisa Young/123RF.com

Operations management | December 2025

A guide to happiness for tradespeople

A tradesperson's success doesn't depend on chance, but on planning, diligence, and a certain amount of legal awareness. Those who know the rules of the game can ultimately invoice their work with satisfaction. An expert explains how to achieve this.

Photo: © ljupco/123RF.com

Operations management | December 2025

Company pension scheme: Also for employees in smaller companies

The German government wants to strengthen company pension schemes. It has adopted measures to ensure that employees in smaller companies and low-income earners also benefit. However, the situation remains complex.

Photo: © Ratchanida Thippayos/123RF.com

Craft policy | December 2025

North Rhine-Westphalia presents sustainability strategy

The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia has presented a draft of its sustainability strategy. It intends to gather further suggestions through a statewide public consultation, which will then be incorporated into the final version.

Photo: © altitudevisual/123RF.com

Craft policy | December 2025

Deforestation Ordinance: Agreement reached on a trade-friendly solution

The European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional political agreement on amendments to the deforestation regulation. The skilled trades sector welcomes the compromise.

Photo: © totalpics/123RF.com

Craft policy | December 2025

ZDH: "Pension package postpones overdue structural reforms"

After the Bundestag passed the pension package with an absolute majority, the skilled trades sector continues to push for structural reforms to make the pension system future-proof.

Photo: © Ilya Andriyanov/123RF.com

Craft policy | December 2025

The baking industry is demanding flexible working time laws.

The Central Association of the German Baking Trade, together with 28 other trade associations, is appealing to the Federal Government to replace the legally regulated daily maximum working hours with a weekly maximum working hours.

Photo: © Ford

Operations management | December 2025

The German Bundestag extends vehicle tax exemption for electric cars

The vehicle tax exemption for purely electric vehicles will be extended by five years. This was decided by the Bundestag; the Bundesrat raised no objections.

Photo: © Volvo Trucks Germany

Operations management | December 2025

No tolls for electric trucks until mid-2031

Zero-emission electric trucks will be exempt from tolls for longer than originally planned. This is intended to increase the number of electric commercial vehicles on Germany's highways and construction sites.

Photo: © Toll Collect

Operations management | December 2025

Use the truck toll system via app

The truck toll system can also be used via the "Toll Now App" from Toll Collect starting in mid-January. Initially, the app will only run on iOS devices. The target group is occasional users.

Photo: © nenetus/123RF.com

Panorama | December 2025

New Year's Eve: How pets can also have a good start to the new year

From loud firecrackers to bright lights in the sky – what we humans usually enjoy on New Year's Eve is often sheer horror for pets. The German Federal Association for Animal Health offers tips on how to make the turn of the year easier for our four-legged friends.

Photo: © blickwinkel/C. Huetter, German Wildlife Foundation

Panorama | December 2025

Germany's Animal of the Year 2026

Every year, the German Wildlife Foundation initiates the vote for Germany's Animal of the Year – for 2026, the choice fell on the red deer.

Photo: © peshkov/123RF.com

Panorama | December 2025

Youth competition under the motto "Discover the sea"

Pupils and young people can participate in the international creative competition "jugend creativ" until February 12, 2026.

Photo: © Herocon

Trade fairs for the craft industry | December 2025

Herocon 2026: Oliver Kahn and Ralf Moeller as headliners

Two prominent headliners have been confirmed for the Herocon edition in June 2026 – goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn and actor Ralf Moeller. The "Herocon Champions" initiative will launch concurrently.

Photo: © Andriy Popov /123RF.com

Record working hours - but how? | December 2025

Trade associations are demanding a maximum weekly working time.

Trade associations – including bakers – are calling on the federal government to replace the daily maximum working hours with a weekly maximum working hours.

Photo: © BVM/Anna-Lena Stolte

German Craft Skills Championship 2025 | December 2025

Metal and bell founder Melissa Kraus scores 97 out of 100 points.

Many skilled metalworkers come from Bavaria. They won four medals at the German Championships. The top scorer also hails from the Free State: metal and bell founder Melissa Kraus.

Photo: © ilker celik/123RF.com

Occupational safety in the company | December 2025

Working safely in ice and snow

Cold, slippery floors, and poor visibility: Working outdoors in winter puts even greater strain on your health than usual. The BG BAU explains how employees can stay safe and healthy even in sub-zero temperatures.

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Handwerksblatt Advent Calendar 2025

Panorama - Company

December 2025

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Text: Katharina Schoemakers / handwerksblatt.de

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