German Handcraft Sector Presses for Secure Vocational Training and Freelance Teacher Status

A coalition of Bavarian crafts and adult‑education organisations warned that the upcoming expiry of a transitional rule on 31 December 2027 could force many freelance teachers out of the system. They cite the 2022 Federal Social Court decision that classifies teachers as employees unless they are truly independent, and say the loss of such instructors could cut the hand‑craft education offering by up to half after 2028. The alliance called for a practical legal definition that permits freelance teaching on a primary, secondary or marginal basis, stating: "Freelance teachers are indispensable for the education sector… they bring current practice from businesses, professions and society and ensure breadth, relevance and flexibility."

In Saxony, the Handwerkskammer Dresden urged the state ministry to safeguard the locations of vocational schools in rural areas for at least five more years. The chamber highlighted the need for reliable public transport, increased accommodation allowances (raising the per‑night reimbursement from €16 to €25), and modern digital equipment to maintain the attractiveness of dual‑track apprenticeships. Chamber president Jörg Dittrich said: "Quality vocational schools are a prerequisite for training the skilled workers of tomorrow." Both groups argue that without these measures the craft sector’s ability to up‑skill workers and meet future market demands will be seriously threatened.