Completed project · 2010
Technicians
The exploratory study, carried out in spring and summer 2010 and funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation, aims to contribute to an understanding of the work situation and occupational position of state-certified technicians in the employment system and of the possibilities and limits of their interest representation.
It thus responds to an information and research gap which, in view of the interest in the “intermediate qualification level” (master craftsmen, technicians, certified specialists, etc.), its value and its future viability in the education and employment system, is increasingly perceived as a deficit. The study addresses, among other things, this focus: thirdly, the study provides a problem-oriented overview of the organisation of technicians in associations
and trade unions and, in this context, deals with questions of their occupational identity and of approaches to and obstacles in representing their interests. In addition to the expert interviews mentioned, it relied on document analyses and internet research. The survey shows that technicians’ associations engage in sometimes very active and committed lobbying in favour of the occupational position of technicians. This
representation of interests is, however, hampered by the fragmentation of the associations and, furthermore, by the fact that comparatively little grassroots work is done locally. The two trade unions included show different organisational approaches: an overarching organisation (master craftsmen, technicians, engineers) and an as yet unfinished active search for an appropriate form of organisation.
and trade unions and, in this context, deals with questions of their occupational identity and of approaches to and obstacles in representing their interests. In addition to the expert interviews mentioned, it relied on document analyses and internet research. The survey shows that technicians’ associations engage in sometimes very active and committed lobbying in favour of the occupational position of technicians. This
representation of interests is, however, hampered by the fragmentation of the associations and, furthermore, by the fact that comparatively little grassroots work is done locally. The two trade unions included show different organisational approaches: an overarching organisation (master craftsmen, technicians, engineers) and an as yet unfinished active search for an appropriate form of organisation.