handwerker

Handwerker is a German term that refers to skilled tradespeople who perform manual work requiring specialized training and tools. The category covers a broad range of trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, masonry, tiling, painting, glazing, locksmithing, metalwork, and HVAC. Handwerker typically work on construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair projects, and may operate as independent tradespeople or within small contracting firms.

In German-speaking countries, many Handwerker enter through the dual education system, combining vocational schooling with on-the-job training (Ausbildung). After completing an apprenticeship, a craftsman may become a Geselle (journeyman) and later pursue the Meister qualification (Meisterbrief) to run a business, supervise apprentices, and hire staff. The Meister status is regulated under the Handwerksordnung (Crafts Code) and administered by the local Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Crafts). Some trades require licensing or specific certifications, while others follow defined quality and safety standards.

Historically, Handwerker were organized in guilds that controlled entry, training, and quality. Today, much of that regulation persists in the form of professional chambers and licensing regimes, but with a broader and more market-oriented framework. Handwerker remain essential for local services, building maintenance, and small-scale production, and they contribute to the economy through both self-employment and employment within larger contracting companies. Similar structures exist in Austria and Switzerland, where the term and concept apply with regional variations.