Handwerkerin

Handwerkerin is the feminine form of Handwerker, the German term for a skilled craftsworker. It designates a woman who performs manual, skilled labor in a craft or trade. The term is used across many trades and in professional contexts, from construction to maintenance and repairs.

In German, Handwerkerin signals gender; many trades have gendered forms (e.g., Schreinerin/Tischlerin for carpenter). The term has gained use with gender-inclusive language, though some contexts still prefer neutral or paired forms such as Handwerkerinnen und Handwerker.

Training and qualification: Most Handwerkerinnen complete a Berufsausbildung (Ausbildung) in a dual system that combines apprenticeship on the job with vocational schooling. Successful completion leads to certification as Geselle (journeyman) and, for some, Meister, enabling independent practice or workshop ownership.

Work and fields: Handwerkerinnen perform installation, repair, and construction tasks in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Fields include carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, tiling, metalworking, and more. They may work as employees, self-employed tradespeople, or in teams with colleagues from other crafts.

Context: Women have increased their participation in crafts in recent decades, aided by targeted training, apprenticeship opportunities, and equality policies. Despite progress, representation and wage gaps persist in some trades. Professional associations and networks support standards, careers, and entrepreneurship for Handwerkerinnen.