Craftsmanship to marvel at
International Crafts Fair opened in Munich. Around 830 exhibitors from over 50 countries present their ideas. Shortage of skilled labour remains an issue.
Munich (d.de) – Minister Economic Affairs Robert Habeck opened this year’s International Crafts Fair (IHM) in Munich yesterday. The motto of the event is “Craftsmanship that makes your life more beautiful”. 831 exhibitors from over 50 countries will be presenting their ideas and designs to delegates and visitors. “The skilled trades are the engine of prosperity and growth. “They bring the transformation to the regions, so they’re a key sector for the success of the energy and heating transition,” said the Minister. Habeck also opened the congress Zukunft Handwerk, which has become established as a platform for dialogue between craft businesses, industry, politics and startups. Outgoing Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and his likely successor Friedrich Merz (CDU) are due to meet the heads of the most important business organisations at the trade fair on Friday.
The shortage of skilled labour in the craft trades remains an important issue: according to the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts, 125,500 vacancies in the sector were registered with employment agencies at the end of December 2024. As businesses did not report all vacancies, actual demand is even higher. The President of the Skilled Crafts Confederation Jörg Dittrich called on the future federal government to carry out far-reaching reforms.