German craft associations warn of vocational training budget cuts

German woodworking and craft associations are warning against proposed federal budget cuts for vocational training. The Bundesverband Holz und Kunststoff (TSD) has called on Economy Minister Katherina Reiche to reverse planned reductions for 2027.

Proposed cuts include a reduction in funds for modernizing inter-company training centers (ÜBS) from 55 million euros to 47.8 million euros. Additionally, the federal subsidy for inter-company apprentice instruction (ÜLU) is expected to drop from 90 million euros to approximately 80 million euros.

The Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (ZDH) noted that training companies already bear more than half of the costs for an eight-week course, which totals roughly 7,100 euros per apprentice. Industry leaders warn that these cuts will increase the financial burden on training businesses and weaken the long-term security of skilled labor in the craft sector.