Focus on craftsmanship

Club of true masters is now polishing up its image

Master craftsmen enjoy a high reputation - carpenters are at the forefront

(Bild: Jack Haijes)

Those who have mastered their craft want to exchange ideas with their peers. Master craftsmen and women can now meet in the Master Craftsmen Alumni Club. This platform also serves to polish their image - master craftsmen are very popular with the general public.

The formation of various academic circles has a long tradition, creates a sense of togetherness and is a sign of excellence to the outside world. The local trades no longer want to lag behind. The Meister-Alummi-Club is intended to network the elites of the various guilds on the one hand, and to raise their profile among the general public on the other.

Exchange at the highest level
"We want to offer our master craftsmen and women a platform where they can exchange ideas at a top level within their industry and beyond," explains Jochen Flicker, Chairman for Trade and Crafts at the Chamber of Commerce. Targeted offers for further training are also to be distributed via the club.

With the Master Craftsman Alumni Club, we are providing an impetus for the broad recognition of the top qualifications of our local trades.

Jochen Flicker, Obmann der Sparte Gewerbe und Handwerk in der Wirtschaftskammer NÖ

Bild: www.schelberger.at

Exciting jobs
The aim is also to show "what exciting and future-oriented professional fields" the skilled trades and crafts have to offer. The club already has 1500 members nationwide, 20 percent of whom are from Lower Austria. Electrical engineers, hairdressers and carpenters are currently the most strongly represented.

Masterly skills
The majority of Austrians have internalized that the title of master craftsman actually stands for masterful ability. According to the survey, more than 90 percent state that the services of master craftsmen stand for high quality and that they feel safe when a master craftsman or woman carries out the work.