Craftin' a New Generation of Artisans
It appears that the Saxon artisan sector is experiencing an upsurge in apprenticeships this year. The Dresden Chamber of Crafts reports a notable rise, with a 6.2% boost in new training contracts compared to the previous year. In total, 1,994 fresh contracts were signed at the beginning of the new training period - quite the hike from last year's 1,877. This growth marks the fourth consecutive year of increased apprentices in the region.
Andreas Brzezinski, the CEO of the Dresden Chamber of Crafts, shared his thoughts, "This trend signifies that businesses value training, and young people perceive craftsmanship in the area as an appealing choice for education and careers, offering numerous opportunities." He added that latecomers still have the chance to join an apprenticeship in craftsmanship, as certain businesses are still searching for suitable apprentices for the ongoing training year.
The craft industries of Meißen, Bautzen, Görlitz, Saxon Switzerland-Osterzgebirge, and Dresden's state capital support apprenticeships in over 80 different craft occupations.
The Swell in Southwestern Saxony
The city of Chemnitz recorded a total of 1,939 training contracts for 96 distinct craft professions, an upward trend in agreements, as reported by the Chemnitz Chamber of Crafts. The increase compared to last year, when 1,884 contracts were signed at the same time, was 2.9%.
Once again, vehicle mechatronics, with 410 new training contracts, are among the top 5 most favored training professions, followed closely by electronics (153), plant mechanics for sanitation, heating, and air conditioning (127), carpenters (93), and painters and varnishers (76). Interestingly, 390 of these apprentices are female, while 1,549 are male. This year, 207 training contracts were also awarded to High School graduates.
Currently, the Chamber of Crafts' training place exchange still lists 464 vacant apprenticeships, granting businesses the opportunity to advertise their open positions. Chamber of Crafts President Frank Wagner noted that these positions could potentially fill even more if they were also occupied. Alarmingly, there's still a shortage of well-trained, skilled workers.
Businesses in Dresden, responding to this growing interest in craftsmanship, are also stepping up their manufacturing efforts, investing further in training to meet the demand. This surge in apprenticeships isn't limited to Dresden, as Southwestern Saxony has also witnessed an upswing in training contracts in industries like vehicle mechatronics and electronics.
Historically, craft guilds have played a crucial role in promoting apprenticeships in Saxony, enforcing high standards of quality and skill to cater to the demand for skilled craftsmen. Additionally, economic factors, government support, cultural revival, educational initiatives, and community engagement have all contributed to this increase in apprenticeships. It's a fantastic time to be a budding artisan in Saxony!
