Chimney sweep: record numbers for trainees and new challenges!

Chimney sweep: record numbers for trainees and new challenges!

796 young people started training as a chimney sweep, which corresponds to an increase of 29 percent compared to the previous year. This gratifying number was announced on the occasion of the association meeting of the Federal Association of the Schornsteinfeger trade in Berlin. Association President Alexis Gula emphasizes the importance of this development: "The quota was clearly exceeded last year." The sector has an average of 650 new trainees per year to compensate for demographic change, which has now been achieved.

The chimney sweeping industry offers numerous opportunities for professional qualifications. This includes the acquisition of the technical college entrance qualification, dual courses in the field of renewable energies as well as master and further training courses. "Chimney sweep districts are advertised every seven years in Germany," says Gula, which offers young self -employed opportunities. In addition, the chimney sweep craft wants to position itself as a contact for climate-friendly heat systems. A comprehensive documentation of all types of heating in Germany is also on the agenda to comprehensively capture fossil and electrical -based heat generators.

changes from the energy transition

The changes in the work processes and tasks of chimney sweep companies cannot be overlooked. The energy transition leads to a departure from fossil fuels towards regenerative energies, which reinforces the role of chimney sweep as important ambassadors of this turn in private households. The Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) has modernized the training regulations for chimney sweeps in order to prepare the prospective specialists for the new requirements and legal regulations. This new training regulations come into force on August 1, 2025 and conveys knowledge in areas such as fire protection, ventilation technology and energy efficiency, while communication and customer orientation are more emphasized.

A new examination approach, the extended final examination, replaces the traditional structure and is supplemented by a company mandate. The training framework plan is based on the recommendations of the BIBB Haupt Committee and will replace the regulation that has existed since 2012. Future specialists can look forward to the diverse promotion and career opportunities in chimney sweeping, including chimney sweepers and technicians.

support during training

The training as chimney sweep includes practical training in the company and theoretical lessons in vocational schools, often in block lessons. In order to prepare the prospective specialists for the intermediate examination, these are supported by simulated exams under real conditions. The ZDS, which takes care of the concerns of the trainees, visits them in the first year of apprenticeship to inform them about their rights, duties and special activities.

mentoring companies offer training courses in all relevant topics to enable optimal exam preparation. In addition, the ZDS produces practical videos that make it easier for trainees to use theoretical knowledge in a practical way. A special event to prepare for the journeyman's examination, known as the "last oiling", deals comprehensively all practical and theoretical topics and also helps the ZDS to support the trainees in the transition to the labor market.