Craft sector seeks volunteers to assume roles in their industry for a yearlong period.
Voluntary Craft Year: A New Opportunity for Skill Development and Community Involvement
The Voluntary Craft Year, a unique program aimed at fostering practical orientation and skill development in the crafts, is gaining traction in Germany. This innovative initiative, spearheaded by Jörg Veit, Head of Personnel at Elektro Breitling in Holzgerlingen, is being supported by Craft BW, an umbrella organization striving for uniform framework conditions and additional political backing.
The Voluntary Craft Year is designed as a structured, year-long period during which participants engage voluntarily in various craft professions. The program offers a win-win situation for businesses, providing them with practice-oriented young people for daily work and potential future apprentices. Participants, on the other hand, benefit from skill development, professional mentorship, studio space for self-guided practice, opportunities for cultural exchange, community involvement, and networking in the craft/artisan field.
To participate, a Staatsanzeiger subscription is required for subscribing to topics and saving articles. Employers are encouraged to invest in conception, planning, and support before the start of the internships to ensure their successful design. A guide for designing internships, written by Holger Schindler, is available to help employers plan and support the Voluntary Craft Year effectively.
Although specific programs titled "Voluntary Craft Year" are not widely documented, similar frameworks combining voluntary community service with craft/artisan education do exist. For instance, the Artisan Development Program at North House, while not located in Germany, showcases a relevant structure with distinct phases of teaching practice and independent study, including mentorship, education, travel, and professional development.
In Germany, expanding such voluntary craft programs could harness cultural opportunities, support community building, and advance skill development. The Voluntary Craft Year has already shown initial success in Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, with over 30 participants, eleven of whom chose an apprenticeship in the crafts during the year. The program is currently limited to Baden-Württemberg and Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, but is being expanded, including by companies belonging to the Böblingen district craftsmanship association.
Anyone who has completed a general school education, including dropouts, can participate in the Voluntary Craft Year. Participants receive a monthly allowance of 450 euros gross and are entitled to vacation: At least five vacation days per internship, totaling at least 20 days per year. The legal framework conditions in the Voluntary Craft Year are similar to those of other voluntary services, with appropriate protective provisions for minors.
In summary, the Voluntary Craft Year is a modern offer for career orientation in the crafts, providing practical orientation for young people after leaving school or dropping out of studies. Interested individuals should research local artisan development programs, volunteer organizations, or craft schools for current offerings.
| Aspect | Details / Benefits | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Duration | Approximately one year | | Typical Structure | Training, mentorship, self-guided craft practice | | Benefits | Skill development, professional growth, community | | Requirements | General school education, Staatsanzeiger subscription | | Existing Programs | Artisan Development Programs (e.g., North House) | | Location | Currently available in Baden-Württemberg and Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein | | Vacation | At least five vacation days per internship, totaling at least 20 days per year | | Allowance | 450 euros gross per month | | Legal Framework | Similar to other voluntary services, with protective provisions for minors |
- Embracing the Voluntary Craft Year could provide opportunities for both education-and-self-development and career-development as it offers a structured, year-long learning experience in various craft professions.
- Successful participation in the Voluntary Craft Year can lead to skill development, professional network expansion, and, potentially, a career in the craft/artisan field through a chosen apprenticeship at the end of the program.
