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The Caravanning Industry Association of Germany (CIVD) and the German Association of Car Body Technology (ZKF) have agreed to create a new training occupation specialisation that will help to increase the number of skilled and qualified leisure vehicle technicians in the country. The new Caravan and Motor Caravan Technology specialisation will help the German leisure vehicle industry adapt to mee the growing demand for its products – an increase of about 30 per cent has been experienced in the last five years with more than 100,000 caravans and motorhomes newly registered in 2021. This exponential growth has led to a shortage of qualified people in workshops and in production of leisure vehicles, but this new reorganised training occupation and specialisation, which is the first of its kind for the German caravan industry, should help redress the balance.

Unlike in the car or truck sector, the production, repair and maintenance of a motorhomes or caravan also requires knowledge of things such as sanitary installations and liquid gas. In addition, materials such as wood and GRP are used in the living quarters of leisure vehicles, which the classic car mechanic is usually untrained to handle.

CIVD managing director Daniel Onggowinarso said: “The creation of a separate specialisation takes into account the growth and change in the caravanning industry. Not only is the technology of the vehicles becoming more and more complex, but our customers are also becoming more demanding in terms of services. The need for skilled workers is increasing accordingly. We assume that around 300 apprentices will be needed by manufacturers as well as dealerships and workshops every year. The new specialisation – Caravan and Motor Caravan Technology – is a milestone for us and makes an important contribution to making the caravanning industry fit for the future.”

Thomas Aukamm, general manager of ZKF, added: “Together we will position ourselves even better in the future and thus become more attractive for young people. Coping with new challenges will only succeed if associations work together, recognise synergies, and use them. New technical developments, such as the increasing digitalisation of vehicles and strongly changing mobility concepts, ensure that the job profile will also change even more. In addition, there were a permanent, omnipresent shortage of skilled workers. These dramatic changes can be better managed together in the form of a common specialisation of the training profession.”

Thomas Aukamm and Daniel Onggowinarso signed a letter of intent to put the wheels in motion for this new initiative and a joint training regulation plan will be drafted soon.