Women belong in the trades

Among the most important organizations in the skilled trades are the Women Entrepreneurs in the Skilled Trades (UFH). With their current campaign "Skilled Trades Are a Women's Business Here, Too," they aim to introduce women to the trades.

This article is part of the special feature on women in the trades.

Another rejection. Twenty-six companies had already rejected Marie from Hamm's application for a carpentry apprenticeship . Through a friend, she contacted Katja Lilu Melder , the press officer of the Federal Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Crafts (UFH), and the association's chairwoman, Tatjana Lanvermann . Thanks to their mediation, the 18-year-old now has contact with six carpentry businesses and is a significant step closer to her dream of becoming a carpenter.

Support for women in the skilled trades

Problems like these are part of everyday life for women entrepreneurs. With its current membership of around 5.000, the association aims to support women in the skilled trades. All UFH members work in craft businesses , either as co-owners or entrepreneurs , and therefore understand the challenges women in the trades face daily. The UFH addresses all issues that influence the economic success of companies and are important for their future. High on the agenda is the compatibility of career and family , as well as providing women with greater access to the skilled trades.

Among the most recent projects is the nationwide campaign " Craftsmanship is also women's work here ," launched in 2021. Behind this initiative is a seal awarded by the UFH (Association of German Craftsmen) to businesses that uphold the association's values ​​and promote them . One hundred businesses already display the seal, which is based on the logo of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and Trades, in bright pink with the slogan "Craftsmanship is also women's work here." "With this campaign, we want to show that we have fantastic businesses with fantastic women – and how much the skilled trades depend on them," explains Lanvermann, justifying the new seal. It is only awarded to businesses where a UFH member is represented. These businesses can rely on support from the national association for their campaigns , such as pre-printed letters , stickers , and materials , for example, when they want to raise awareness of their trade among schools and recruit female interns . The advantage: Schools can be confident that they will encounter businesses free of prejudice and be protected from negative experiences.

Exchange with schools should be expanded

The businesswomen plan to expand their exchange with schools in the coming years. School visits are planned to directly engage girls and introduce them to various trades. The primary goal is to dispel the fear young women have about working in the trades , a fear that is still far too often based on stereotypes. "We know that this requires a general shift in societal attitudes and we need to reach out not only to the students, but also to the teachers and the children's parents," says Lanvermann. "We need to encourage young people to explore their creativity and skills in the trades !" The long-term aim is to make it clear that all career opportunities are open to women.

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From 2024, an online working group will help to further increase membership. Because of the many commitments at work and at home , many women find it difficult to also fit in volunteer work with the UFH (Independent Women's Association) . Plumber and model Sandra Hunke had the opportunity to get a glimpse into Katja Lilu Melder's business and experience an exciting day as an intern in the areas of hazardous material remediation (asbestos removal) and demolition . The entire internship can be viewed on our YouTube channel "PowerPeople" .

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