Luxembourg’s business sectorsThe master craftsman’s certificate in Luxembourg

Even if it’s true that practice makes perfect, practice alone is not enough to hold the title of master craftsman in Luxembourg

The term “master craftsman’s certificate” sounds slightly old-fashioned. Which is completely normal, since it originated in another time. After all, there were restrictions on market access for master craftsmen in the Middle Ages already. In 1897, the title of master craftsman was reintroduced and was demanded from those who wanted to train apprentices from 1908 onwards. At the same time, however, it sounds decidedly noble. An aristocratic whiff that lends the whole matter a special kind of merit, distinguished by the fact that the master craftsman’s certificate offers concrete perspectives and possibilities.

Because this is the highest trade or craftsmanship qualification. It is connected to the right to be self-employed, in other words to start or manage one’s own business. The master craftsman also has the right to train apprentices and supervise them for their DAP (Diplôme d'aptitude professionnelle). A title, therefore, that does its name justice.

The training

“The task of the “Chambre des Métiers” (CDM) in Luxembourg is to ensure the quality of the training of these future business owners and to maintain them at a consistently high level or to adapt them to the requirements of the present day,” according to Marc Bissen, senior official responsible for the “Brevet de Maîtrise” at CDM. “Over time, the structure of businesses has changed. They are often larger than before, which leads to subdivisions and involves a shift in individual responsibilities.”

The training of these master craftsmen consists of two main parts: business management and applied pedagogy on the one hand as well as specific skills on the other. The master classes take place during the autumn and spring, and the examination period is generally from April onwards. A master craftsman’s certificate requires endurance, as lectures take place in the evenings and on weekends – the candidates are mostly already employed.

Accessibility

“Access to the master craftsman’s certificate is regulated by qualifications, of which the minimum is the DAP. Possible exemptions are possible for courses but not for examinations,” says Bissen. “The training generally takes three years. However, this period can be shortened through exemptions. The courses take place, among other places, at the CDM training centre, but the majority of the courses are held in the various technical lycées and in the Centre National de Formation Professionnelle Continue (CNFPC). Because of to this distribution throughout the country, we are able to make access as short and simple as possible for everyone. In 2016, for example, we had 725 candidates who were divided into 66 classes and were accompanied by 110 course leaders. A very good record.

“There is also a great demand for instruction in Luxembourgish/German as well as French, at least in the technical theory. However, this kind of bilingualism has existed for a long time in business management, including in the fields of law, accounting, business administration, business start-up, and applied pedagogy. There is no exemption from the last two. The examinations themselves are primarily theory-based, but the final examination is largely practical. Candidates must have at least one year of professional experience in order to be admitted to the final practical exams. Our courses are very comprehensive, but they do not replace professional experience. A lot of knowledge can only be gained in this way.”

The CDM puts particular effort into the preparation and presentation of their teaching material so that everyone can become optimally involved in the complex subject matter. “Since the candidates are professionally active, it is important to make the lessons as pleasant and attractive as possible late in the day or on the weekend. Therefore, we are permanently working on our teaching material, both in terms of content as well as on the educational and visual aspects. A complex subject, packaged in a dull format, will battle to arouse interest in the long run.”

Good future prospects

Master craftsman training equips the candidates to start their own business and to lead it successfully in the long term. Candidates who do not necessarily strive to become self-employed also gain the necessary expertise to take over a leadership position in a company.

Experienced course leaders

“In order to maintain this level, we are constantly looking for high-quality course leaders. It is quite easy to find specialists for the individual areas. However, the best expertise is of little use if it is transmitted poorly. This is why these subject specialists must also have an educational streak! Of course, we prepare potential course leaders for teaching. They themselves have to go through basic education in pedagogy and didactics. We support them at every stage in order to assure them of the security that lies in good preparation. For example, each new textbook is accompanied by a trainer's guide for the trainers to ensure the coherence of the entire training intervention.”

Further information on the training can be obtained at brevet.cdm.lu