Fair corporate culture and strong teams – overcoming the skilled labor shortage in SMEs and the skilled crafts sector

Small and medium-sized enterprises and the skilled trades are the backbone of our economy. They secure over half of all jobs and drive innovation, technology, and growth. At the same time, they are being hit particularly hard by the shortage of skilled workers. For years, the rule has been: those who attract and retain women have a decisive advantage. But how successful has this been so far? And what can businesses do in concrete terms—such as implementing consistent measures against sexism and discrimination—to ensure that women not only join but stay?

This is the focus of the networking event hosted by the "Together Against Sexism" alliance in cooperation with the Competence Center for Berlin Craftspeople (bfw) on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (via Zoom).

Program

Cansel Kiziltepe, Berlin Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination and member of the Bundesrat of the Federal Republic of Germany, and a representative from the Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth.

Together with experts from academia, associations, and the field, we want to discuss experiences, challenges, and concrete measures that businesses can use to create a discrimination-free work environment and thereby effectively attract and retain women.

Featuring contributions from

• Dr. Lydia Malin, Senior Economist for Qualification and Skilled Labor Retention at the German Economic Institute
• Anja Weusthoff, Head of the Department for Women, Equality and Family Policy at the DGB National Executive Board
• Maren Kogge, Master Decorative Painter, Miss Handwerk 2023, and founder of the "Buntes Handwerk" initiative
• Charlotte Rath, Carpentry Apprentice

Registration

Register here: https://eveeno.com/190879484

If you have any questions about the event or alliance membership, please contact buendnisgegensexismuseaf-berlinde

Learn more about the "Together Against Sexism" alliance

Sexism is widespread in our society. It demeans people based on their gender. We encounter it every day in many areas of society. The "Together Against Sexism" alliance, funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and implemented by EAF Berlin in collaboration with the ministry, is determined to take a stand against it. The goal is to recognize sexism and sexual harassment, address them, and implement effective measures to combat them.

www.gemeinsam-gegen-sexismus.de