Master craftsman numbers on the rise in Saxony

More master craftsman qualifications than at any time in the last ten years: according to the Saxon Crafts Association, 823 men and women completed a master craftsman qualification in the Free State last year. This is the highest figure in ten years and corresponds to an increase of 14% compared to 2024.

Whether you're a roofer, plumber or electrical engineer, a master craftsman's certificate is required to run a business in most trades. Exceptions are also possible with many years of professional experience or the appointment of a corresponding manager with a master craftsman title.

19,000 craft businesses to be handed over in ten years

The fact that the government had increased the master craftsman bonus to 3,000 euros was described by Uwe Nostitz, President of the Saxon Crafts Association, as the right sign. Nevertheless, in the opinion of the Handwerkstag, there are too few successors for craft businesses. According to the Handwerkstag, only one in three master craftsman graduates is planning to become self-employed. This low figure applies to around 19,000 craft businesses that will be handed over in the next ten years.

Behind the 19,000 companies are 78,000 jobs and a turnover volume of around 12.6 billion euros. "This is not just about the future of the skilled trades. It's about the future of the Saxon economy," emphasized Nostitz.

Why master craftsman graduates don't want to be self-employed

Nostitz explains the lack of desire for self-employment with the economic uncertainties and the enormous bureaucratic requirements. He calls for bureaucracy to be drastically reduced and all levers to be pulled to generate economic growth.

According to its own information, the Saxon Crafts Association represents more than 54,000 craft businesses with 280,000 employees.