Frequently asked questions and answers about women in the skilled trades

What is the percentage of women in skilled trades occupations?

‍Womenare still underrepresented in the skilled trades. In 2019, only about 11.7 percent of all employed women worked in skilled trades occupations.

How many women work in managerial positions in the skilled crafts sector?

‍At present,around 75 percent of all trade businesses are family-run and managed jointly by husband and wife. About one in four businesses is founded by a woman, and according to the statistics, about one fifth of all business management is in female hands.

What measures and initiatives are in place to promote women in the skilled trades?

Well-known measures and initiatives by associations, the federal government and the states are:

How can I increase the proportion of women in my craft business?

Studies show that when it comes to choosing a job, women value: 

  • A good balance between family and career
  • Diverse development and career opportunities 
  • Respectful communication at eye level. 

Take appropriate measures! Make your craft business attractive for female specialists and managers as well as trainees.

Are there significantly more men than women working in your company? If so, you're like most business managers in Germany. In this country, men dominate the classic skilled trades. However, against the backdrop of a shortage of skilled workers and trainees, it is no longer possible to do without women in the skilled trades. For some time now, therefore, associations, the federal government, the states and craft enterprises have been trying to increase the proportion of women with marketing campaigns and promotional measures. But has this really changed in recent years as a result?

Are women conquering the skilled trades? What the statistics say

Only about 11.7 percent of all employed women worked in skilled trades in 2019, writes the Federal Statistical Office on the labor force participation of women1. ‍Thisfigure has hardly changed since 1992! It is particularly rare to find female bricklayers or concrete builders (1.1 percent) and female plumbers (2.1 percent)2 in the skilled trades. Women tend to opt for commercial and service occupations. 

Is the future of the craft female?!

Nevertheless, there are also some positive trends: The proportion of women among apprentices in so-called "male occupations" is rising slightly. In addition, female carpenters, automotive mechatronics technicians and painters and varnishers recorded an increase of six percent between 2005 and 20193. These three occupations are thus among the top ten most popular apprenticeships for young women.4

The proportion of women in skilled trades has increased.
The proportion of women in skilled trades has increased.

This is certainly also due to the good career opportunities. After all, many development opportunities - including management positions - are open to women in the skilled trades. 

Women entrepreneurs and women in management positions in the German skilled crafts sector

In the meantime, more and more women are obtaining their master craftswoman's diploma and thus laying the foundation for self-employment as an entrepreneur in the skilled trades! The proportion of women who pass master craftswoman examinations is currently already 17.1 percent. The fact that women also have entrepreneurial ambitions (and talent!) can no longer be ignored. For example, one in five businesses is in female hands and one in four new businesses is founded by women. This does not even take into account the many women entrepreneurs. The proportion of family businesses run by female spouses is as high as 75 percent.

About 20% of all businesses are run by women.
About 20% of all businesses are run by women.

To ensure that even more women discover their skills and passions for the skilled trades, there are now initiatives and support measures from which your company can also benefit!

How to attract more women to your business

The need for skilled employees is high and the job outlook has never been better. After all, digitization is continuously making working conditions in the skilled trades more attractive. But how do you get more female apprentices, journeywomen or master craftswomen interested in your craft business?

There are several options for recruiting women specifically:

  • Offer practical experience as part of the "Girls Day" program5.
  • Close the gender pay gap and pay men and women equally for equal work.
  • Enable professional training and development - also specifically for women.

Just as important as recruiting new female employees is retaining the existing female workforce. Here, too, you can set a decisive course for retaining qualified personnel in the long term.

Women in the skilled trades hold their own with these measures

When choosing an employer, female craftswomen attach particular importance to arrangements for better reconciliation of work and family life. If appropriate framework conditions exist, such as flexible work hours or part-time arrangements, they not only remain loyal to their profession for longer, but also to the company!

In addition, these other aspects6,7 are also central to making the skilled trades permanently attractive to women:

  • Open culture of equality instead of machismo
  • Separate changing facilities and toilets instead of "one for all".
  • Matching work clothes with size selection instead of gender blindness when shopping 
  • Work-life balance instead of 24-hour availability

Particularly with regard to the last point, many Tradesmen and women ask themselves: Is work-life balance in the skilled trades possible at all?8

Work-life balance as a sticking point

Modern companies are now saying goodbye to cliché thinking and development opportunities are available in the skilled trades like in hardly any other sector. However, the work-life balance is usually a different story due to the heavy workload. Many company managers are therefore considering how they can achieve a better work-life balance in the company. Our tip: You can lay the foundation for this by organizing and coordinating your workforce more efficiently. The Meisterwerk app will help you do just that. 

Optimize time management with the Meisterwerk app

The Meisterwerk app ensures that everyone finally goes home on time and always knows exactly "what's going on". With the intuitive application:

  • plan operations, 
  • exchange information with your employees in real-time and 
  • manage benefits, hours worked or even sick leave.

In this way, you enable easy communication with your staff and make everyone happy with your improved project and time management: your customers are happy about adhered schedules and your employees about the well-structured assignments. This is also how you achieve a good work-life balance!

Improve the organization of your business with the Meisterwerk App!
Improve the organization of your business with the Meisterwerk App!

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