Craftsmanship and the First 1000 Days: A Future with Prospects or Under Pressure?
Craftsmanship is much more than just a profession. It is a tradition, a passion, and a fundamental pillar of society. From the very first 1000 days of a child's life, the values of craftsmanship – patience, precision, and creativity – play an essential role. But what is the place of craftsmanship in an increasingly digitalized world? Is society ready to preserve these ancestral values, or is craftsmanship gradually being relegated to the background?
In an interview with Blanche Lamesch, Head of Promotion and Awareness of Trades, and Hanna Meyer, Director of Communication, Marketing & Public Relations at the Chambre des Métiers, it became clear that craftsmanship is under pressure. The demand for skilled professionals is high, yet the social recognition of these professions is too often overlooked, they affirm. The prestige of academic professions dominates, and craftsmanship is still too often seen as a plan B rather than a conscious choice with prospects.
Craftsmanship as a Foundation – From Young Children to the Professional World
Craftsmanship teaches not just a technique but also a way of life. How we manage our resources, how we consciously shape our environment – these are competencies that are not only taught theoretically in schools but also conveyed through hands-on experiences. Blanche Lamesch emphasizes: "Craftsmanship provides children with a tangible connection to working with their hands, to materials and forms. It is an integral part of their natural development."
The first 1000 days are particularly formative. Young children discover the world through their hands, through their senses. They look, feel, and build. But in a world where digital devices are introduced at an increasingly early age, this natural development is at risk. Craftsmanship could provide a solution: an education and society that integrate these values from the very beginning.
A Craft with a Future?
The Chambre des Métiers actively works to make craftsmanship more attractive again. Campaigns, awareness projects, and training opportunities are part of the program. But how consistent are these efforts? What political decisions are actually being made to sustain this sector?
Hanna Meyer stresses: "We need to fundamentally change the reputation of craftsmanship – it is not a fallback for those who didn’t make it to university, but a professional field with a future."
A Reflection
The discussion with the Chambre des Métiers makes one thing clear: Craftsmanship needs recognition, not just as a profession, but as an essential part of our society. The connection between craftsmanship and the first 1000 days is evident – it is about the foundation of life, about working with hands, about values that can endure across generations.
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