Chancellor Friedrich Merz Champions Skilled Trades and Vocational Training in Sachsen
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s inaugural visit to Sachsen focused on promoting skilled trades and vocational education, emphasizing their critical role in Germany’s economy and future workforce development.
- • Chancellor Merz visited Handwerkskammer Dresden’s educational center, praising the skilled trades as the backbone of the German economy.
- • The visit emphasized dual education and the importance of motivating youth, particularly women, to pursue craftsmanship.
- • Ministerpräsident Michael Kretschmer highlighted the increasing value of skilled trades and advocated for supporting entrepreneurs and hard work.
- • Economic reforms are needed to stimulate growth and reduce high social contribution rates inhibiting small businesses.
Key details
During his first official visit to the German state of Sachsen, Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the vital role of skilled trades in the country's economy. At the Handwerkskammer Dresden, Merz toured the "njumii" educational center, engaging with students preparing for their master exams. He emphasized that skilled trades represent "the backbone of the German economy," and underlined their importance as employers and educators offering promising career paths. Ministerpräsident Michael Kretschmer expressed pride in Sachsen's crafts sector, stating, "If you can do something, you are something," and called for policies that reward hard work and entrepreneurship.
Merz focused on enhancing vocational training and encouraging more young people, especially women, to enter the skilled trades. He stressed the need for reforms to stimulate economic growth and to address high social contribution costs, which have reached nearly 43%, a concern echoed by Jörg Dittrich, president of the German crafts. The visit avoided discourse on ongoing urban safety issues, with Merz prioritizing engagement with the crafts community instead.
The Chancellor reiterated the government's commitment to supporting small businesses and vocational education to secure a strong workforce. This visit reinforced the unique significance of Germany's crafts sector as a source of national pride and economic stability, highlighting the necessity of a supportive environment for employers and employees alike.
Looking ahead, Merz's stance signals continued focus on policies benefiting the skilled trades, aiming to strengthen Saxony’s economic and social fabric through education and employment opportunities.