The path to a master craftsman’s certificate requires perseverance. The trainingtakes up to three years, depending on whether you pursue it full-time or part-time while working. Those attending master craftsman school full-time need a leave of absence. This results in a loss of income for at least half a year. Added to this are costs for courses, exam fees, materials for the master’s project, travel, and meals—4,000 to 10,000 euros or more.
Yet the master craftsman’s certificate is still in high demand. Each year, 30,000 employees take an exam to become a master craftsman or a business administrator. A distinction is made between industrial master craftsmen and skilled trades master craftsmen, with the latter constituting by far the largest group. In thesectors covered by IG Metall, around 10,000 workers take their master craftsman exam each year. Among the various trades, the metalworking and electrical trades account for the most master craftsman titles. The automotive master craftsman certification is particularly popular.
Becoming a Master at a Young Age
Kevin Hagemann, a 22-year-old metalworker, is currently working toward his master craftsman’s certificate. In 2024, he completed his apprenticeship as a metalworker at the company Hupfeld und Schlöffel in Berkatal, northern Hesse, and initially considered going to college. But then his company’s management approached him and asked if he would like to go on to earn his master craftsman’s certificate. Kevin didn’t hesitate and enrolled in the master craftsman program. He now attends classes full-time five days a week. If everything goes according to plan, he’ll have his master craftsman’s certificate in hand as early as August 2025—specializing in metal fabrication.
Kevin had already saved up money beforehand to finance his master craftsman training. Together with the Aufstiegs-BAföG, he’s able to make ends meet. He’s also eligible for themaster craftsman bonus in Hesse. Because his company and his master craftsman school are located in Hesse, he’ll receive a bonus of 3,500 euros from the state of Hesse after successfully passing his exam. Similar funding opportunities are available in a number of other federal states as well.
Anyone who, after completing their apprenticeship, wishes to pursue further qualifications through advanced vocational training—for example, to become a technical consultant, master craftsman, or business administrator—receives financial support through the Aufstiegs-BAföG —colloquially known as the “Meister-BAföG.” Funding covers the costs of the educational program and living expenses. The money is provided partly as a grant that does not need to be repaid and partly as a low-interest loan.
Eligibility Requirements for the Aufstiegs-BAföG
- A 50 percent subsidy is available for course and exam fees.
- For thematerial costs of the master craftsman examination project, funding of up to half of the necessary costs and a maximum of 2,000 euros is granted. Here, too, 50 percent of the funding is a grant. For the remainder, a low-interest bank loan is available from KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau).
- Course and examination fees are generously waived upon successful completion if the recipient starts a business.
- The maximum monthly rate for the “Aufstiegs-BAföG” is 1,019 euros for single individuals.
- Married individuals receive an additional 235 euros per month. For each child eligible for child benefit, there is an additional 235 euros.
- There is no age limit .
Better Job Opportunities with a Master Craftsman’s Certificate
Professionally qualified individuals earn good money early on in their working lives. If they go on to earn a master craftsman’s certificate or a degree in business administration after obtaining their journeyman’s certificate, they become even more sought-after in the job market. Graduates of advanced vocational training programs, such as master craftsmen and women, are far less likely to be unemployed than their colleagues with academic degrees. In Germany, approximately 2.5 million workers hold such a qualification.
The path to becoming a master craftsman is becoming more attractive not only because of improved funding opportunities. Higher vocational training is gaining importance overall. Since the latest change, a master craftsman can also call themselves a “Bachelor Professional.” The master craftsman title and a bachelor’s degree are equivalent. IG Metall is committed to ensuring high quality in master craftsman training, explains Helmut Dittke from IG Metall’s Department of Skilled Trades and Industry Policy. This is by no means a given, as there are varying quality standards.
Master craftsman training is usually offered by chambers of crafts and state guilds. In professions where a master craftsman’s certificate is mandatory—such as in the automotive trade—exams are administered by independent state master craftsman examination boards under the respective higher administrative authorities. The chambers of crafts merely serve an administrative role in this context. The offerings for master craftsman courses vary by region and training provider. “It’s worth comparing the programs in terms of quality and price,” advises Dittke. “There are significant differences.”
IG Metall works closely with employee representatives on the committees of the Chambers of Crafts to create favorable conditions for master craftsmen. This includes transparent examination procedures and equal representation on the committees. Since the last change to the master craftsman examination procedure, IG Metall has had the right to nominate employees to serve on examination boards and committees. If there are any problems or questions regarding master craftsman training in the skilled trades or the administration of the exam, IG Metall is available to provide its members with advice and support. Questions can be sent to handwerk@igmetall.de.
More information on the Aufstiegs-BAföG is available on the Ministry of Education’s website
The application forms for the Aufstiegs-BAföG are available here
Information on the master craftsman bonus in the federal states: Federal, State, and EU Funding Database
