The seal is intended to increase the visibility of women in the skilled trades. It was awarded for the first time on January 18th: to the carpentry shop Zimmerei Lotze-Franke in Hannoversch-Münden. (Photo: © UFH Bundesverband)
Read aloud:
women in crafts - Theme specials
January 2022
Girls and women are welcome in the skilled trades. They should choose their profession free from stereotypes. To spread this message, the Federal Association of Women Entrepreneurs in the Skilled Trades is awarding the new seal "Skills are also a women's business here."
The EntrepreneursWomen in Crafts want to encourage girls and young women not to be put off if they are interested in a traditionally male-dominated craft profession. EntrepreneursWomen set an example with the new Seal "Crafts are also a women's business here".
The first company to open on 18 January 2022 was Carpentry Lotze-Franke in Hannoversch-Münden. "The prejudice that craftsmanship is a man's job unfortunately still exists," says UFH Federal Chairwoman Tatjana Lanvermann"It is important to us that girls and young women choose their careers free from stereotypes, based purely on their interests and abilities."
With the Siegel The association honors member companies that explicitly support girls and women on their way into the skilled trades.
"With the seal we ensure that Women in the trades are more recognized "This allows companies to demonstrate that girls and women are welcome and lower barriers."
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Koblenz Chamber of Crafts
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Koblenz Chamber of Crafts
Craft policy
Since October 2021, craft businesses have been able to apply for the UFH seal. At the start of the project, Elke Büdenbender and ZDH President Hans Peter Wollseifer Since then, UFH member companies have been able to apply for the seal.
For this purpose, a questionnaire had to be completed, which included, among other things, statements on the topic of promoting women in the skilled trades.
info flyer More information is available in a Flyer about the new seal
Only those who agree with statements such as "Women and men work well together in our company" or "Equal opportunities are part of our corporate culture" and who make a voluntary commitment will receive the award. A total of over 30 companies have successfully applied so far.
Interview with Tatjana Lanvermann A major interview with the new UFH Federal Chairwoman Tatjana Lanvermann here
The Lotze-Franke carpentry shop had was the first company to apply for the seal and has now been honored as the first company by Tatjana Lanvermann personally. "I applied because I want to strengthen the role of women in the skilled trades, especially in the construction sector," says Meike Lotze-Franke, who runs the business together with her husband.
For one and a half years, Carolin Fette the profession of carpenter at Lotze-Franke. And more female apprentices are welcome. The company plans to use the seal in job advertisements and at training fairs to specifically target girls.
Source: UFH Federal Association
The organic seal on bread or egg cartons, the Fairtrade logo on coffee beans, all give customers a sense of security. And who hasn't found themselves choosing a product because of a sticker with a positive rating from Stiftung Warentest? There are also a variety of seals, trademarks, and certificates for craft businesses that they can use for their marketing—both across industries and within specific industries. The "Master Craftsman" seal is an important quality indicator for consumers anyway.
The trademark "Generation-friendly company" The ZDH program is open to all tradespeople seeking to compete for affluent and discerning older customers. Participation requires little effort for the business. The manager or one of their employees must complete a training course or provide evidence of previous qualifications. The training courses are offered by the Chambers of Skilled Crafts. The business can then advertise its position as a tradesperson knowledgeable about topics such as comfort, safety, and accessibility with stickers, posters, on the online platform generationenfreundlicher-betrieb.de, and in the local press.
Crafts businesses have to do a lot to enhance their image as attractive employers. Certificates in the areas of family friendliness or corporate culture are particularly popular. For example, there are nationwide certificates such as "workandfamily" or the seal "Family-friendly employer"However, these are less commonly used in the skilled trades and more often by large companies such as banks, insurance companies, or public institutions. Chambers of Skilled Crafts also help find the right seal at the regional level.
Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of their diets and are paying more attention to organic certifications, regional products, environmental protection, and Fairtrade when shopping. This is also evident in the food industry. Bakers in particular, but also butchers and ice cream makers, are increasingly offering organic products or converting their product ranges entirely to organic. Businesses can then choose between various certifications, ranging from the hexagonal organic seal to the Demeter, Naturland, and Bioland seals.
Brandenburg craft businesses that consistently pursue environmentally conscious practices and reduce operating costs through lower material consumption or more efficient energy use are eligible to display the Brandenburg Environmental Seal. Further information is available from the Chambers of Crafts.
DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital DHB!
Newsletter
Write a comment