New master electrician demands a say for craft in Bautzen!

Torsten Schölzel was appointed the new managing director of the Bautzen district craftsmanship. Today he took over the Sabine Gotcha-Schock Sabine Gotcha-Schock, who left office after 15 years. Schölzel is a master electrician and lives in Demitz-Thumitz. Before that, he was the head of the electrical engineer guild of Bautzen.

Schölzel is committed to a say in the craft in structural change at the local and state level. His plans include a regular entrepreneurial dialogue in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is due to start this month. He also strives for better junior protection and plans, among other things, a painter and electronic camp for young people.

challenges in the Region

in Upper Lusatia, especially in Boxberg, there are currently uncertainties due to the impending exit of the coal. According to a survey by the Dresden and Cottbus Chamber of Crafts, 60% of the craftsmen in the region are concerned about the future. Nevertheless, there is no mood. Boxberg was one of the richest communities in Saxony until two years ago, but imposed a budget lock due to repayments to trade tax.

The power plant in Boxberg, which supplies the region with electricity and heat, plays a central role. Vattenfall calls for repayments due to the sunken electricity prices, while LEAG generates 18 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and employs around 8,000 employees. The annual added value of LEAG and its partner companies is 1.3 billion euros.

craft businesses in the region face challenges in personnel recruitment, since many employees are over 50 years old and sick leave is high. Ramona Schuppan, Managing Director of ISL, reported that there is no decline in orders, but there are difficulties in recruiting new employees.

The concerns about possible purchasing power losses, if no replacement jobs are created in industry, have also increased. Entrepreneurs demand tax reliefs and investment incentives for the region, while the good order situation and diversification of the customer base are highlighted by some managing directors.

The open -cast mine and the power plant have given Boxberg high tax revenue, but tourism cannot replace the added value from coal power. The future of the region remains a central topic for the local companies and politics, as well as Mario Weier, building contractor, and Roman Krautz, responsible for business development in Boxberg.