Orthopedic technician Selim Yildirim (center) is pleased to receive the approval notice for the master craftsman start-up bonus from Andreas Pinkwart (left) and Berthold Schröder (right). (Photo: © WHKT / RG)

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GründerNavi – for founders and young companies – themed specials

"The master title is the heart of German craftsmanship"

11 October 2021

The WHKT, together with the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Economic Affairs, hosted the Master Craftsmen's Day for the tenth time. Minister Andreas Pinkwart presented the approval notices for the Master Craftsmen's Start-up Bonus to young master craftsmen.

This article is part of the special feature GründerNavi – for founders and young companies

At this year's Master Craftsman Day at the Hansemann Education Center of the Dortmund Chamber of Skilled Crafts, young entrepreneurs were once again the focus. For the tenth time, the West German Association of Chambers of Skilled Crafts (WHKT) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs invited newly qualified master craftsmen to the official presentation of the grant approval notice for the Master Craftsman Start -up Bonus.

WHKT Vice President Berthold Schröder praised the courage of the young people to start their own businesses: "Those who dare to take the step into self-employment with their master craftsman's certificate in their pocket want to take on specific responsibility – for employees, for customers and for the next generation of professionals. That is why the master craftsman title is the heart of German craftsmanship ."

Role model for all craftsmen

These are particularly challenging times right now, given the coronavirus pandemic . Anyone who has the courage to take the step into self-employment is a role model for all tradespeople , said Economics Minister Andreas Pinkwart (FDP). "The state supports this commitment with the master craftsman start-up bonus and the funding of competent consulting services."

Two female founders from the Aachen and Münster Chambers of Skilled Crafts districts and one founder from the Dortmund Chamber district spoke at the Master Craftsman Talk about the opportunities and challenges they currently face as young business owners . The highlight of the event was the subsequent presentation of certificates for the Pinkwart and Schröder Master Craftsman Start-Up Bonus.