Master craftsmen celebration

263 new master craftsmen and women are recognized in Lower Franconia

"With your master craftsmen qualification, all doors will be wide open to you," commented Hugo Neugebauer, President of the Chamber of Crafts and Trades when addressing the 263 young master craftsmen and women directly during his opening speech at the master craftsmen celebrations in the CinemaxX in Würzburg, where the new master craftsmen and women were being recognized.

Barbara Stamm, President of the State Parliament, congratulated the young master craftsmen and women and looked ahead optimistically to their future, adding "you will ensure that small medium-sized enterprises continue to form the backbone in Bavaria and in Germany".

Dr. Paul Beinhofer, President of the Lower Franconian Government, also congratulated the graduates of the master craftsmen courses on opting for a career in the skilled crafts. He underlined that, "Vocational education and training is just as important for a country as academic education training".

The equivalence of vocational and academic education and training, and the status of the master craftsman qualification as the highest possible qualification in a skilled craft occupation formed the focus of the panel discussion at the master craftsman celebration.

Rolf Lauer, General Manager of the Chamber of Crafts and Trades for Lower Franconia, explained the levels defined in the German qualifications framework within which academic and vocational qualifications are classified. "The title of master craftsman is at the same level as the Bachelor's degree. The qualification of Certified Business Economist under the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO) - which some of those being recognised had also completed alongside the master craftsman training- is equivalent to the academic Master's qualification".

The 24 year old young master craftsman, Michael Lesnar - who successfully completed the master craftsman and certified business economist courses - described the career opportunities which present themselves as a result of the vocational qualifications. "I now have a management position in my business. This is a fantastic new challenge," explained Michael Lechner.

The highlight of the master craftsman celebration was the presentation of the master craftsman certificate to the 263 young master craftsmen and women from 19 skilled craft occupations. 45 were also awarded the master craftsman prize from the Bavarian state government because they were among the best 20 per cent of their year in the master craftsman examination.

President of the Chamber of Crafts and Trades Hugo Neugebauer commented, "I am very proud of all of you. When I see you here today I have no concerns regarding the future of skilled craft."