Service Occupations
In Germany, service occupations are traditionally divided in three different categories: Skilled trades and crafts, liberal professions and other commercial business activities. Each of these groups is supervised by semi-autonomous, public organizations authorized to regulate the relevant professions. These chambers are also responsible for representing the members' interests in public.
Skilled trades and crafts (Handwerke) are generally those occupations that either produce individually manufactured products or provide customized services. These include over 100 different occupations in such areas as building and interior decoration, electrical and metalworking, woodworking, clothing, textile and leather crafts, food industry, health and body care, chemical-related areas, cleaning, and graphic design. These professions are represented and governed by the Chambers of Skilled Trades and Crafts.
Liberal professions (freie Berufe) are those occupations that - pursuant to their professional ethics - are traditionally supposed to serve the public interest rather than their own commercial benefit. These occupations include the health professions, legal consulting professions, construction and architectural services, writers, translators, freelance educators, and artists. The self-government of the liberal professions is organized through branch-specific chambers.
All commercial business activities which are not regarded as skilled trades and crafts or liberal professions are part of the commercial and industrial sector (Gewerbe). They are within the responisbility of the local Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
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