With Andrea Aland, the roofing company Aland is the first woman to take the helm in its 125-year history. In a few years, the master craftsman and business economist will manage the business alone. (Photo: © Kathrin Dictus)
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women in crafts - Theme specials
July 2020
They are innovative, successful, and future-oriented: As entrepreneurs and managers, women in the skilled trades are making progress, even outside of traditional female occupations. Some of them share their stories here.
The Opportunities for women in the skilled trades are excellentIn the next ten years, approximately 200.000 businesses will be handed over. Currently, the Proportion of women in succession in the skilled trades depending on the region between 13 and 23 percentThis should increase significantly in the future – namely not only in classic women's domains such as hair salons or cosmetic studios.
"Even and especially outside of traditional patterns, there are excellent prospects for women." This emphasized ZDH-Secretary General Holger Schwannecke on the occasion of the nationwide Action Day "Succession is Female" End of June.
"We want Encouraging women and show them that they be successful anywhere in the trade", says Schwannecke. After all, the skilled trades offer 130 different professions. This diversity offers numerous opportunities for advancement. Digitalization is helping women to take on management positions in the construction and finishing trades.
The physical demands are significantly lower in some areas today. And where that's not the case, the manager can share the tasks with a technical operations manager.
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Trier Chamber of Crafts
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Koblenz Chamber of Crafts
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Koblenz Chamber of Crafts
AdvisoryFind numerous Advisory services for founders and successors is available at the Chambers of Crafts and professional associationsThese also provide contacts to mentoring programs. Networks such as the Women Entrepreneurs in Crafts (UFH) offer contacts to like-minded people. Information is also available on the portal existenzgründerinnen.de of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
But even in 2020, clichés still exist when it comes to career choices, and there are still senior bosses who believe only their sons can follow in their footsteps. And there are employees who struggle with having a female boss. In some cases, a traditional understanding of roles still exists in the skilled trades.
The The promotion of young female talent must therefore begin early and convey the professional profile of the entrepreneur, says Schwannecke. Important, for example, are special offers that Empowering women in their advancement and specifically prepare them for their role as managers or entrepreneurs to retain well-qualified women in the skilled trades. A career as an entrepreneur is worthwhile because "the future of skilled trades is digital, sustainable, and offers equal opportunities."
Melanie Franke is one of the few metal construction masters in Germany. Together with her father Gunter Franke, she is managing partner of F & T GmbH - Building Elements & Metal Construction Franke in Schwalbach. When she began her vocational training after graduating from high school, she never dreamed she would one day be the boss of a company still considered a traditionally male-dominated field. Metal construction is certainly a trade that requires hands-on work.
Melanie Franke first made a Apprenticeship as a gold and silversmith. Afterwards she worked as journeyman and then completed her training as Master gold and silversmith.
Her father founded the business in 1995. "I asked myself early on what would happen to our family business once I stepped down," says Gunter Franke. "Then Melanie and I had a conversation." "After that, I decided to join the business in 2008," says Melanie Franke.
"After my 65th birthday, we swapped desks. Melanie became managing director and makes the operational decisions," reports Gunter Franke.
"Creating beautiful jewelry from gold and silver challenged my creativity." Regarding the switch from gold and silver to stainless and other steels, she says: "Same materials, just larger dimensions." Creativity in customer solutions is still in demand. But it quickly became clear to her: To manage his father’s metalworking business, further qualifications were neededConsequently, she began working part-time at the Chamber of Crafts and Trades of Saarland credentials for Training as a master metalworker, which she completed in 2016 as the best.
In between, she also trained as a "welding specialist." Since this job title doesn't exist, her business card reads "welding specialist." "Women can also succeed in so-called male professions," she is convinced. "My master craftsman qualification helps me with that. As a master, I enjoy a certain basic acceptance on the construction site."
Continuing education is very important to her. Her CV speaks volumes. And because continuing education is important for young skilled tradespeople, She is involved in the Craftsmen's Forum and the Chamber of Crafts in master craftsman examinations and at Girls' Day, where young women are introduced to skilled trades.
Marilena Bergers is with her Training as a carpenter, following in her parents' footsteps, works in Her father's business and plans to take over. So far, so normal – and yet there are some things that are different for the 29-year-old. The exceptionally talented young woman has already Master's degree, which she completed in Australia, in my pocket. And plenty of ideas on how to "make living conditions more bearable for people on this planet."
The fact that she not only talks about it but also acts is shown by her work, among other things in building a school in NepalEven though she's taking over the carpentry business, she'd like to set aside some time each year for social projects.
Her father approves of her commitment: Norbert Bergers himself, even at the age of 60, was still climbing around on construction sites "on the roof of the world" in the Himalayas. Even during his apprenticeship, he often worked on equal terms, and the collaboration was a mutual learning experience.
Consequently, Bergers also has a clear opinion on the topic of equal rights. "Every woman should be able to hammer a nail into a wall. So we can get away from these gender stereotypes!" For her, working as a woman in a technical profession is nothing special. But she is clear: a lot still needs to change before this perception becomes generally accepted.
"We are very fortunate that our daughter is already in the starting blocks," says Karina Vigelahn. The entrepreneur heads the Vigelahn construction team in Königs Wusterhausen since 2008. That year marked the official notary appointment for the transfer from father to daughter. Dieter Vigelahn founded the company in June 1991. Karina Vigelahn joined the company rather unexpectedly in 1995, when her father became seriously ill.
"I quit my job in the furniture industry and jumped into the gap," says the entrepreneur. "To this day I am amazed at my courage." Fortunately, the father recovered and the two continued to run the craft business, which specializes in earthwork, concrete work, and masonry, hand in hand.
For five years, Karina Vigelahn prepared for the takeover, visited Workshops at the Chamber of Crafts Cottbus, led Discussions with your bank and tax advisor.
An experienced lawyer advised the industrial engineer against pursuing a second degree. "You don't have to do everything alone; you can also hire a technical operations manager." That's what Karina Vigelahn did back then, and she hasn't regretted the decision.
Although she is only 51 years old, she is already preparing her company for the third generation Daughter Josephine Schineis would like to join the family business soon.
"I'm fortunate that my mother is familiar with many of the pitfalls of taking over a company and is clearing obstacles out of my way," says the 29-year-old, who also came to the construction company via a roundabout route, namely the hotel industry. Currently, the mother of a ten-month-old daughter is working on her bachelor's thesis in civil engineering, which she plans to write at her parents' company.
The employees, most of whom have already many years in the company and have known Josephine Schineis since childhood, learned at the Christmas party that the young woman would be taking over the company in the next three to five years. It was quite an exciting situation, says Schineis. The icing on the cake came when a long-time employee said, "I'm glad I can work here at the company until I retire."
For Mareike Wendt it was clear from the beginning: "If I want to study in Training as an interior designer I will also Take over my father's master business." Mareike Wendt was, so to speak, born into the company.
"My parents founded, built up and successfully managed the company 40 years ago. Now they wanted to retire, and it quickly became clear to me that I would continue to run the business," says the Master interior decorator.
"My parents made a name for themselves, the company Interior design M. Schwarz is well known in Bochum-Linden, and the numbers were right. So the takeover was a logical choice."
Today, it feels very good to continue the family business. "The road to this point was rocky and steep, but the hurdles have been overcome. I am convinced that Craftsmen will always give and must give. That is why you are as a woman in the trades, she is in good hands and can find her place."
The company produces Window decorations, sold and assembled Sun protection, privacy protection and insect protection made to measure, leads Upholstery work and Floor laying work "After my apprenticeship, I did a lot of manual work as a journeyman. Now, as a freelancer, my focus is more on consulting and preparing offers, as well as in the commercial area."
Master interior designer Stephanie Ernst (46) is one of the members of the general assembly of the Chamber of Crafts OWLThe self-employed entrepreneur actively shapes the events in the East Westphalian craft sector. The focus is on training. The apprentice supervisor of the Interior Decorators' Guild Bielefeld-Lippe teaches in Brackwede Craft Training Center.
The committed volunteer discovered her career through an internship. Originally, she wanted to become an interior designer. However, the internship fascinated her, and she ultimately completed her apprenticeship at the company where she was doing her internship.
With great success: First, she achieved the title Chamber winner of the practical performance competition and was then even State winnerWith her good results, she applied to the Chamber of Crafts for a scholarship at the Gifted education, which she received effortlessly.
With the scholarship, Stephanie Ernst financed her Master's training. Afterwards she worked in the Interior design Ewert in the west of Bielefeld.
She took over the business twelve years ago. As an entrepreneur, she focuses on Advice, service and craftsmanshipShe has removed decorative items from her range. "Others can do that better," says Ernst. High quality and sustainability are important to her. "That's the strength of the artisan interior designer," emphasizes the master craftswoman.
Melanie Temmes took over the Butcher shop with attached party service and eight employees from their parents. The Master butcher and business economist of the craft trade places great value on regional products, close collaboration with its farmers, and a professionally trained team that approaches its work with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. "In the year I took over, I renovated my shop area and turned it into a living room for my customers and employees," reports Melanie Temmes. There's definitely time for a quick chat with customers.
Also your own Online Store has Gries Butcher ShopMelanie Temmes has been immersed in the business since childhood, which has been run by Gerhard and Mathilde Gries since 1980. Her husband feels the same way.
Ralf Temmes, a master farmer in the Saarburg district, took over his parents' dairy farm in 2006 after the sudden death of his father. The parents of two children now manage their family and two farms across a distance of 110 kilometers.
Participation in the project of Chamber of Crafts of the Palatinate stated, "Succession is female" in 2012 and the advice of the Chamber of Crafts during the Takeover planning has strengthened and advanced the entrepreneur.
The Roofing company Aland This year, the long-standing company tradition continues in the fifth generation with Andrea Aland for the first time a womanAfter a detour into the world of finance, the Arnsberg native was drawn to the roof: She successfully completed the Training as a bank clerk, completed a three-month internship in her parents' company and made the decision that has made her the junior boss today: Training, master craftsman's examination, business economist (HWO).
A demanding schedule in a typically male profession. The 27-year-old pays healthy respect to the "demanding" physical challengesShe knows what she demands of her 31 employees. And precisely because she learned the profession from the ground up and knows what she's talking about, she is "fully accepted" by the team.
Her professional focus is master roofer primarily relocated to the office: Planning, consulting, customer contact – these are her preferences. They are rare, but there are still customers who don't expect a female master roofer. Andrea Aland takes it in stride; she is happy and fully committed to taking over sole management of the family business in a few years.
Temporary Corona standstill shortly after the takeover – and this in their anniversary year, too: For Sandra Voigt and Susanne Iff, the start of their own business could have been more pleasant. But the two hairdressers knew from the very beginning what they were getting into.
And now the two are launching their salon in Bad Sobernheim – supported by four colleagues. Taking over the 25-year-old business was also the continuation of a life's work.
The former boss, Andreas Paufler, died in June 2019. The close-knit team at his side decided to continue together. Hairdresser Sandra Voigt and Susanne Iff, journeyman with trainer certificate, took over the responsibility"We've known each other for a very long time," says Susanne Iff, who has worked at Salon Paufler for 19 years.
Sandra Voigt joined the team eleven years ago. The management consultancy of Chamber of Crafts Koblenz – “Together we have made a good start,” praise the bosses.
"The civil engineering industry is certainly dominated by companies run by men. But I cannot see that they lack respect for companies run by women. In any case, I never had any problems during meetings or contract negotiations. My father introduced me to the tasks in a targeted and prudent manner," reports Angelika Huth (59), Industrial engineer and managing director is HuT Oderbau GmbH in Müncheberg (Märkisch-Oderland district).
"For example, he first showed me the Controlling to one of his companies. Later, I took on a management position in another company he founded. This is how all the employees got to know me. I was already able to Gain the necessary respect before handing over the companyI think this prudent approach to the task of managing director has contributed a lot to the Company succession was smooth and without major disruption.
I really appreciate being able to rely on my father's advice, even later on. I don't remember a single stupid comment from the men in our company."
Judith Pink (36), Master stonemason and stone sculptor from Eppelborn, is Founding Ambassador is Saarland Offensive for Founders (SOG), a network of local start-up promoters and supporters that has grown over the years.
Judith Pink is currently the female voice of Saarland crafts on behalf of the Chamber of Crafts of Saarland (HWK), encourages young women to become self-employed and gives them tips. She took over the company from her father Helmut in the summer of 2018, becoming the third generation to run it, and has since then sole owner and managing director is Sculpture and art workshop Steinkunst Pink with ten employees.
"Before, I was employed in my father's company and then I became the boss; it wasn't that easy at first. The first years were already tough in the purely male world", she describes her role change. In 2005/2006 she completed her masterEven though she now primarily has management responsibilities, she still enjoys using the "club," a special hammer for soft stone.
Her advice: "If you become a master, you can become self-employed in a trade." This provides a solid foundation – from practical experience to business administration. And in the case of a business transfer – as in a family business – she strongly recommends involving the Chamber of Crafts, because there are always obstacles to be overcome.
She also doesn't hide the fact that she's sometimes quite exhausted in the evenings: "You have to have a lot of patience; as a boss, you sometimes take problems to bed with you or wake up in the night. Ultimately, as an entrepreneur, you can never switch off."
And: "Use the free offers in Saarland such as those of the Chamber of Crafts, the state government or the economic development agencies"Build networks to exchange ideas with other women. That makes things easier!" she advises. Learning from the experiences, including mistakes, of others can save you from making some wrong decisions.
You yourself uses social media such as Instagram and Facebookto post photos and texts about her company and the use of natural stone: "We have to use many channels to draw attention to ourselves." And she confesses with a wink: "I am a passionate sculptor. Natural stone is my drug."
"Taking over a small car dealership as a woman is certainly unusual, but my father built and ran our dealership with so much passion for over 30 years that I can't imagine handing it over to someone else," reports Daniela Steinbrede.
Therefore, the Automotive economist the family business, the Steinbrede car dealership in Münster, in the second generation and, as she says: "In the next 30 and many more years show everyonethat Women and cars go very well together."
Texts: Kathrin Dictus, Ulrike Wittenbrink, Reinhard Kallenbach, Kathrin Tomkötter, Kirsten Freund, Frauke Kerkmann, Sarah Materna, Sarah Hanke, Michael Thieme, Udo Rau
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