"It's easier to tackle things as a team – what one person can hardly achieve alone, can be accomplished together with strength, intelligence, and skill." Hildesheim Chamber of Skilled Crafts (Photo: © dolgachov/123RF.com)
Read aloud:
Guilds are the professional, regional associations of tradespeople. But they are suffering from declining membership. This should change – because voluntary commitment is worthwhile.
Many hands make light work – hardly any proverb sums up the success formula of a strong community so succinctly. The Hildesheim Chamber of Skilled Crafts She has collected this saying along with others on her website and translates it into today's language: "It's easier to tackle things as a team – what one person can hardly achieve alone, succeeds together with strength, brains and skill." And that could also apply to the guilds., since they unite the same or at least similar trades, which jointly advocating for strong craftsmanship at the regional level.
The tasks of the "voluntary association of independent craftsmen," as the guilds are defined, are governed by the law for crafts, which Crafts Code (HwO), clearly stated. It has the purpose of "promoting the common commercial interests of its members" (Section 54 HwO), which include the following:
– the regulations governing apprenticeship training,
– the administration of journeyman examinations, including the establishment of journeyman examination committees,
– the promotion of the craftsmanship of master craftsmen and journeymen, including the establishment of technical schools,
– Conclusion of collective bargaining agreements,
– Establishment of support funds and
– Implementation of measures to promote common commercial interests
This overview alone shows, why the guilds are a very important institution within the craft organization - and why it is worthwhile to get involved in these committees and bring them to life."This is highly relevant from both a collective bargaining and craft policy perspective, insofar as the guilds are an important organizational basis for social partnership and the negotiation of collective agreements, but also for the implementation of labor market policy concerns and the creation of good employment in the skilled trades," write the authors Detlef Sack and Sebastian Fuchs in their study "Guilds in the labor and collective bargaining relations of the skilled trades. Results of the research project "Guilds, collective bargaining and co-determination in transition".".
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The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Chamber of Crafts Münster
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The reality is different, as this study shows. Compared to 1996, the number of guilds has plummeted by 35 percent.Thirty years ago there were 6.674 guilds, but by the end of 2024 that number had fallen to just 4.311. However, this statistic does not reveal how many guilds, due to their own lack of size, merged with neighboring guilds in order to continue acting as a strong partner in the region.
In fact, "all business sectors are affected by the decline,"So Sack. The same applies to regions, although some are affected more than others. For example, the strong guild system has been lost in the large states of Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony, which in the past were characterized by a strong and diverse guild landscape." Focusing on specific trades, the clothing, textile and leather crafts are particularly affected, showing a decline of 72 percent. – however, also fueled by the general development in this sector, which continues to this day: high energy costs, enormous import pressure from Asia, regulatory requirements and weak consumer demand are causing the number of businesses to generally decline.
The food industry has also halved its number of guild members compared to the reference year 1996.. Also noteworthy: The decline does not depend on economic strength, as the strong electrical and metalworking trades, as well as the construction and finishing trades, have also reduced their guild membership numbers by 15 and 24 percent respectively.
What makes this development particularly dramatic is that the number of businesses has increased during the same period. It's no wonder, then, that this development is being watched with concern. For example, within the social partnership, which "has proven itself for so long and works well," as... Stefan Korzell from the executive board of the German Trade Union Confederations only recently on the 100th meeting of employee vice presidents in Frankfurt He emphasized in a panel discussion: "Collective bargaining and social partnership is a privilege bestowed upon us by the framers of the Basic Law. We all, from trade unions to craft organizations, must breathe new life into it every day. This counteracts its erosion and strengthens democracy."
Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Jörg Dittrich, President of the Central Association of German Crafts, knows: "Voluntary organizations remain indispensable for the regulatory framework of the skilled trades." However, it is necessary to examine how to find people willing to volunteer in these bodies in the future, even though the willingness itself has not declined. "But we should consider how voluntary work is structured," he says. Berthold Schröder, President of the Dortmund Chamber of Crafts"The days when someone would get elected to an honorary position and then fill it for the next few decades are over." His approach: "Today, the trend is more towards a project-oriented approach with a manageable timeframe – and we need to create such opportunities in the skilled trades as well."
This applies especially to the examination system, which would not function at all without this voluntary commitment. Nationwide, more than 300.000 people are involved in the examination system for skilled trades. "They contribute to ensuring the high level of vocational qualifications," states, for example, the Berlin Chamber of Crafts, which alone conducts 5.000 exams every year – and at the same time recruits new talent.
It is also clear that not everyone is the ideal candidate to design, conduct, and evaluate tests. It requires in-depth expertise in the respective trade, a confident and communicative demeanor, and reliability combined with responsibility. While this doesn't lead to the accumulation of wealth – There is an expense allowance of up to 3.000 euros and up to 840 euros for exam supervisors, both tax-free depending on individual circumstances.e –, but you build yourself a Network within the craft organizationThis opens up new possibilities. "You expand your circle to include many people and personalities who would otherwise never have appeared in your own circle of acquaintances," Berthold Schröder summarizes his own experience, as well as that of many others involved in volunteer work. "You don't just invest, but you get significantly more back, which is what almost all volunteers say in retrospect."
Above all, those who volunteer aren't simply thrown in at the deep end; they can prepare for the job. One example of this is the Volunteer Academy of the NRW Crafts on Raesfeld CastleThis summer, the academy is offering seminars on examination procedures at the chambers of commerce in Cologne and Dortmund; at the Dortmund chamber, a seminar will focus on communication and rhetoric. everything is "free, but not without cost", as it is said with a wink (ehrenamtsakademie-handwerk.deOther chambers of commerce and other countries also offer volunteer academies and seminars.
The network that people build up within voluntary work, but also as members of a guild with their business, is particularly crucial.Above all, everyone can actively participate: "Those who get involved in a guild are able to actively shape the structures themselves – and that's much more constructive and meaningful than just criticizing," says Dittrich clearly. His example: "Are you annoyed with your supplementary pension fund? Then join the guild and have your say in how it's designed!"
Above all, voluntary membership in a guild consists of more than just paying dues – you get a lot in return. This is demonstrated, for example, by the... Stove Builders' Guild of the Palatinate, which has tripled its membership in the last ten years, from six to 19 members today. The recipe: a dedicated master craftsman with a clear statement of all the advantages of guild membership and the creation of new opportunities – instead of beer-fueled excursions, events today focus on further education, for example in technical matters.
It's also financially worthwhile. Those who take advantage of the financial benefits available through the guild "recoup their guild membership fees for the next ten years," says the guild master. Stephan Kohl, who manages the guild's business together with his wife Ute and his daughter Nicole Valente. Framework agreements allow guild members to obtain significantly cheaper insurance policies, cars, and electricity. In addition, they receive further services and support, such as assistance with training and professional development, trade-specific technical and legal issues, and business consulting.
In fact, that's... The range of services offered is the decisive factor for a guild.This was already proven by the Ludwig Fröhler Institute 2010 with the study "Success factors of a guild"By Markus Glasl. The problem: Often, the range of services offered is directly linked to the size of the organization – and the revenue generated by a large number of members helps to maintain such a range of services. However, the risk factor of losing personal connections as the organization grows must be kept in mind."
"Therefore, maximum transparency and clear communication are crucial," he says. Jörg Paschedag, Chairman of If you're looking for a trade, then go with a guild (Innung eV)., abbreviated WHdI, which represents 25 guilds in Berlin and forms the counterpart to the district craft association in the capital (there are no district craft associations in Berlin and Hamburg; the Hamburg counterpart WHdI represents 30 guilds).
"This was demonstrated, for example, during the Corona period, when we were there for our businesses as a point of contact and were able to help with concrete advice and support, but also with masks and tests.", said the managing director of Painters' and Decorators' Guild, who also emphasizes that the appreciation of a guild and the higher authorities depends on the volunteer ambassadors and what they do for their members.
Quote"Are you annoyed with your pension fund? Then join the guild and have your say in how it's designed!"
Jörg Dittrich, President of the ZDH
Master craftsman Stephan Kohl made that very clear very quickly: He redesigned his guild's website and offers real added value at events. What's more, interested parties find... a list of 15 discounts and benefits, which they obtain through membership in the Westpfalz District Craftsmen's Association to be implemented directly in Kaiserslautern. At that point, at the latest, cool heads can calculate the financial advantage for themselves – and that's without even considering the additional image gain and the strong network they can then contribute to.
Advantages of guild membership
Membership in a guild offers advantages that vary depending on the trade.
– trade-specific or technical advice
– Legal advice
– Legal support and representation
– Financial advantages through framework agreements, for example for motor vehicles, insurance, leasing, energy
– Debt collection agency
– Regional lobbying
– Training advice
– Tariff advice
– Arbitration boards
– Regular exchange with colleagues
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