The president of the skilled trades association Jörg Dittrich warned on 15 November 2026 of a continuing loss of jobs in Germany’s skilled trades sector Without countermeasures, he believes between 70,000 and 80,000 jobs could be lost each year. The president of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts called, among other things, for a reduction in non-wage labour costs and relief on electricity tax.
According to Dittrich, more than 150,000 jobs in the skilled trades had already been lost in the preceding two years. Many business owners lacked confidence, while others lacked the money to carry on. His statement about future job losses is a warning conditional on no action being taken, not an official employment forecast.
The latest available official figures confirm a decline, but cover only part of the sector: at the end of June 2026, the number of employees in crafts subject to licensing was, according to the Federal Statistical Office 1.9% lower than in June 2025. Price-adjusted turnover fell by 1.4% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Businesses in crafts not subject to licensing are not included in these comparisons.
The Confederation also describes business conditions as weak. In its economic report for the third quarter of 2026, it reported shrinking order books and lower investment activity. The investment indicator reached its lowest level for a third quarter since the financial crisis of 2009, according to the report. The indicator reflects the views of the businesses surveyed, not the overall level of investment directly.
Alongside economic conditions, the Confederation cites other causes for the decline in employment. In its 2026 forecast, it attributes this mainly to employees leaving work due to age and, in part, to people moving out of the skilled trades. At the same time, many trades are looking for skilled workers to replace departing employees. Weak demand plays a role in some areas, but is of secondary importance overall. A fall in the number of employees therefore does not mean that every job lost is the result of a business closing.
Dittrich called on the of the Federal Government, published on the same day. They show both increased participation in theto honour the coalition’s pledges. These included more flexible working hours and a reduction in electricity tax for all skilled trades businesses. The demands reflect the employers’ association’s interest in lower costs and greater operational flexibility. The effects of individual measures on employment and investment cannot be inferred from his warning alone.
The trend varies across trades. The skilled trades include, among others, construction and finishing businesses, food crafts and personal services. The extent to which they are affected by order levels, energy prices or staff shortages differs. Political assessments must therefore take into account both the overall decline and conditions in individual sectors.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).