Kick-off event on March 6th in Weißwasser on the topic of company succession, starting a business and career paths in the skilled trades

The “Self-employedLausitz” project offers founders as well as established entrepreneurs and interested consultants a platform to enter into an active exchange and make valuable contacts.

Interview with Anna-Marie Hillen, project employee Self-employedLausitz https://www.hwk-dresden.de/ueber-uns/projekte/selbststaendiglausitz.html , Dresden Chamber of Crafts https://www.hwk-dresden.de/

UBL blog: Dear Ms. Hillen, we are pleased that you to https://www.weisswasser.de/aktuelles/auftakttreffen-selbstst-ndiglausitz  - can you briefly explain to us why it has just become Weißwasser, and whether further stations are already planned?
Anna-Marie Hillen: The Dresden Chamber of Crafts sees itself as a strong partner in the region. In collaboration with the Görlitz district craftsmen's association, the Bautzen district craftsmen's association and the guilds in the region, we are committed to sustainably strengthening the economic performance of the crafts between Weißwasser and Zittau, between Hoyerswerda and Bischofswerda as an important link in the regional value chain .

The AutonomousLausitz project wants to be visible as a competence center for succession and start-ups locally in the Saxon coal region and as a contact point for regional craft businesses. The Weißwasser location is to be further expanded in the future.

UBL blog : How do you see the numbers and data regarding self-employed craftsmen in Lusatia?

Anna-Marie Hillen: In 2023, the Dresden Chamber District listed 21,060 craft businesses. 8,500 companies are listed in the LK BZ/LK GR. In this area, 1,567 companies (LK GR) and 1,859 (LK BZ), around 40% of the owners and managers are over 55 years of age or older.
Conclusion - in the next 10 years, 3,426 companies will be of retirement age and will be affected by the succession issue.

UBL blog : Why is the trade currently struggling to attract young talent even though the career opportunities seem ideal?

Anna-Marie Hillen : The shortage of skilled workers in the skilled trades is primarily due to demographic change. There is a lack of young talent because many young people are pursuing other career paths. It is therefore important to present the trade as an attractive career option at school and to provide practical insights.

UBL blog : Can you see a positive development regarding “women in the trades”?

Anna-Marie Hillen : Absolutely, we are seeing an increasing trend of women becoming self-employed in the craft sector. This not only affects classic professions such as hairdresser or beautician, but also increasingly technical professions such as carpenter or automotive technician . The structural change in the region as well as new products and services also offer women a wide range of opportunities in the skilled trades.

UBL blog : What skills should a young person have who aspires to go into the trades and harbors the dream of self-employment?

Anna-Marie Hillen : In addition to technical skills, a great willingness to learn is important, as technologies are constantly evolving. Entrepreneurial thinking, organizational talent and the ability to work in a team are also important qualities. You should also be aware that self-employment in the craft sector also requires an understanding of numbers and business relationships.

UBL blog : Can you tell us more about what the specialist impulses and workshops at the event will actually be about?

Anna-Marie Hillen : Of course! Participants can look forward to input on various topics relating to self-employment in the trades. There will be workshops on career paths in the trades, handing over a business and starting a craft business. Successful reports from regional companies are intended to provide concrete insights into best practices and offer participants valuable inspiration for their own future. You can view the event overview and agenda here: Online registration - details (hwk-dres d en.de)

Those interested in taking part can register using this link:  Online registration - details (hwk-dresden.de)

Further information about the project can be found at: hwk-dresden.de/lausitz SelbstemployedLausitz
- Chamber of Crafts D r esden (hwk-d r esden.de)

Thank you for the conversation!

https://www.hwk-dresden.de/ueber-uns/projekte/selbststaendiglausitz.html