This research has focused on Master craftsperson qualification and is seeking evidence for how countries that embed a Master craftsperson qualification in their skills system benefitted (or not) from it and offers pointers to other countries for consideration. For the purpose of this research we focused on Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden.
The Master craftsperson qualification is a form of continuing vocational education and training (CVET) which allows individuals to combine extensive knowledge of the theory of their profession with practical skills. Across the case countries a Meister qualification can serve as a pathway for professionals within a craft or industry and generally has four main aims, to:
- Receive formal recognition of their skills or craftsmanship (which may feature on a Master craftsperson register)
- Equip individuals with business knowledge within the craft or trade to set up or take over an existing business
- Develop knowledge and skills to train apprentices within the craft or trade
- Assume management or leadership responsibilities within the respective craft and associated trade bodies.
There are potential benefits to a CVET system that incorporates a Meister qualification, such as ensuring progression routes, professional development, life-long learning and developing a talent pipeline through training apprentices. However, the research suggests that this branding and recognition of excellence is most successful in systems that have a long history of Meisters backed by strong social dialogue and thus it is well-understood within the society. In countries where Meister has been ‘newly’ introduced contributes to further complexity to their system and may not lead to the same outcome. Consequently, a wholesale introduction of Meister qualifications is questionable and challenging within a system without a history of the qualification.
Meisters have received increasing attention in the past years in Europe. However, they demonstrate considerable differences in different historic and cultural contexts. The balance of benefits and risks has to be carefully considered whether some or all of the principles of a Meister qualification should be introduced into a new system as they may not bring the expected outcomes.
