In a world rapidly digitizing and permeated by automation, traditional crafts have long been relegated to the background. But the tide is turning: More and more voices from science, business, and society are emphasizing that we are facing a renaissance of crafts. The global labor shortage and the growing importance of resilient, locally anchored services mean that well-trained craftspeople will soon be among the most sought-after specialists of the future.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there is already a shortage of several hundred million qualified workers worldwide. Particularly affected are the construction, energy, plumbing, and heating sectors, as well as repair and maintenance professions. The reasons for this are demographic change, urbanization, the declining attractiveness of physical labor, and the increasing trend toward academicization.
Germany has over 250,000 vacancies in the skilled trades alone (as of 2025). In many regions, orders can no longer be accepted or must be postponed for months. A development that is not limited to Europe: In the USA, Canada, Australia, and even in parts of Asia, millions of hands are missing for practical work.
Neuroscientific studies show: Manual work stimulates cognitive processes, improves spatial thinking, and promotes problem-solving skills. The term "embodied cognition" describes the close connection between thinking, movement, and feeling. Those who work with their hands don't work less intelligently – they work differently.
These findings are leading many educational experts to call for a reassessment of the reputation of skilled trades. The future lies not only in bits and bytes, but also in concrete, metal, wood, and cables.
The coronavirus pandemic, supply chain crises, and energy shortages have shown that systemically relevant professions are often those that have long been underestimated. Electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, and roofers kept many infrastructures running while other industries switched to home offices.
In a world that has to deal with crises, upheavals, and climate change, the role of practical skills is being revalued. We need people who not only plan, but also implement. Not just present, but also repair.
The increasing demand for skilled trades services coupled with a shrinking supply is leading to a simple market mechanism: prices are rising. Many businesses are already reporting 1 significantly increased hourly wages. Skilled workers can not only choose who they want to work for – they can also choose their clients.
The trend is toward small, specialized, high-quality work with select clients. "We no longer look for clients – we let ourselves be found," is increasingly the motto of successful skilled trades businesses. Those who demonstrate loyalty, an understanding of quality, and a willingness to pay will be awarded the contract.
Generation Z is looking for meaning, stability, and self-efficacy. More and more young people are realizing that skilled trades offer precisely these aspects: You see what you have created. You work with real people, not just with files. And at the end of the day, you feel needed.
Social media plays a new role here: Craftspeople showcase their work on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram and receive recognition – not just in the workshop, but worldwide.
Modern skilled trades have long been digitally permeated. From CAD drawings and smart home technology to 3D printing, material management apps, and digital construction site plans: Anyone who is a craftsperson today must be tech-savvy and willing to learn. The combination of practical skills and digital tools will become the superpower of the future.
In many countries, the competition for well-trained craftspeople is already beginning. Germany is specifically trying to recruit people with skilled trades through its Skilled Immigration Act. Canada and Australia have also expanded their visa programs for these professional groups.
Those who begin an apprenticeship in a skilled trade today can become a sought-after specialist worldwide in five to ten years. Whether on construction sites in Europe, at wind farms in Scandinavia, or Those who work with their hands today have the best prospects for a stable, self-determined, and well-paid future. The world needs people who build, maintain, assemble, renovate, and design. Crafts are becoming the key to a livable future – locally and globally. It's time to view crafts not as a "Plan B," but as a genuine, proud, and future-proof choice in life. The future is handmade.