Frequently asked questions about funding for digitization in the skilled trades:
What funding is available for digitization in the skilled trades?
There are various support programs at state and federal level for digitization in the skilled trades. The funding programs at the federal level include:
- Digital Now
- Go-Digital
Are self-employed Tradesmen and women supported in digitization?
The Federal Ministry of Economics offers various funding programs in the area of digitization, especially for smaller trade businesses and self-employed Tradesmen and women. You can find an overview of important funding programs here:
Today, digital business processes are an important factor in remaining competitive - in the skilled trades as well! But small and medium-sized trade businesses in particular face major challenges when it comes to digitization. Employees have to be trained, new equipment and software solutions have to be purchased, and the complicated EU data protection directives have to be observed. First and foremost, this means additional costs and time, which smaller trade businesses in particular find difficult to cope with. The solution? The federal and state governments provide public funding for digitization, especially for self-employed craftspeople and small and medium-sized trade businesses.
Digitization in general describes the shift away from analog processes using paper and planning boards to working with digital solutions. You can digitise your entire workflow or start with small but helpful apps .
The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology offers various funding programs to help small and medium-sized craft enterprises in particular get ready for the digital future. Exactly which digitization measure is funded can vary depending on the federal or state funding program. As a rule, investments in the following four categories are funded:
- Consulting and training on the topic of digital crafts
Some programs support inter-company training, education and consulting services for Tradesmen and women on the topic of digitization.
- Equipment for IT security
If you want to digitise your craft business, you also have to consider the security aspect and the associated regulations of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, the federal and state governments provide funding in the area of data security and data backup. This includes any investments in DGVO-compliant software (all non-physical components on a computer, for example computer programs) and hardware (all physical components of a computer, for example monitor, mouse, printer, etc.).
- digitised business processes
In the long term, trade businesses should digitalize their workflows. Therefore, industry software and apps that make your processes more efficient and reduce costs are eligible for funding. This area primarily includes solutions that enable you to manage customers, Jobs and employees more efficiently and digitise your accounting and logistics.
- Expenditure on digital communication
In addition to the personal bond with your clientele, digital communication is increasingly coming to the fore today - for example, via your own homepage. That's why Tradesmen and women receive financial support for expenses related to the company website. A new online store, tools for making appointments online or online advertising campaigns can also be supported.
There is support from various levels for the digitization of your business. Here you will find an overview of the most important support programs for Tradesmen and women from the federal and state governments:
Practical tip: Most funding programs are limited in time and only apply until the funds provided have been used up. So it pays to be quick!
go-digital" support program
Go-digital is probably the best-known funding program for digital development in the skilled trades. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 100 employees can receive funds for consulting and implementation measures. Funding is provided for projects in the categories: digitised business processes, IT security, data competence and digital market development.
The special thing about go-digital is that all the bureaucracy is already included in the funding process and the application is handled entirely by the executing agency.
Digital Now" support program
The Digital Now program introduced by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) primarily subsidizes hardware and software solutions as well as training for employees that serve digitization. The subsidy can be applied for by companies with up to 499 employees.
Subsidies for the digital switchover at country level
In addition, nearly all German states offer their own funding programs for digitization in the skilled trades:
If you would like to apply for a funding program, you must first become active yourself and contact the respective sponsor. As a rule, each project sponsor has its own application procedure, which is usually described directly on their homepage. There you will also find the necessary application forms. Once you have found a suitable funding program, the Chamber of Crafts responsible for you or a free management consultancy from the BMWi list will help you with the application.
Practical tip: Always submit the application first and wait for the decision before starting your digitization project.
Conclusion
The conversion to digital processes is initially always associated with costs. Small and medium-sized companies in particular shy away from these investments. But in Job to hold your own against the competition in the long term, it is particularly important for you as a craftsman or craftswoman to integrate digital helpers into your day-to-day operations. With the various funding pots, you receive extensive financial support to benefit from the many digital possibilities. Make use of them!
The Meisterwerk app can also be subsidized under certain circumstances: In principle, many funding programs subsidize the digitization of business processes, and this is precisely where the practical functions of the Meisterwerk App can help you.
The intuitive software offers you all the important functions you need to better Organise your team and manage many appointments and jobs simultaneously. Among other things, the work hours of your mobile employees can be recorded from anywhere thanks to a digital time clock on the smartphone. Real-time synchronization also lets you effortlessly share information between the office and the jobsite. This way, your employees always stay up to date on the road and in the office and have access to all important documents from anywhere. Best of all , all processes can be individually adapted to your needs in the Meisterwerk app.
