Improvement potential in the German skilled trades sector exists, according to the Bitkom Study 2025. Although 85 percent of businesses use at least one digital service, 62 percent use messenger services, and one in three regularly holds online meetings, companies rate their own level of digitalization at an average school grade of 3.0. Only 4 percent are already using artificial intelligence (AI).
In addition, the study identifies hurdles such as a shortage of skilled workers (75 percent), IT security (60 percent), and the need to increase employees’ digital competence (76 percent). Many businesses are traditionally structured, which can complicate or delay the implementation of new technologies. Demographic change, business succession, and new work models pose further challenges for the skilled trades sector.
"Zukunftsraum": Solutions for pressing problems
“The "Zukunftsraum" is intended to be the central platform where future topics are bundled, made visible, and brought to life,” says Phillip Blass, Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse. “With this, we are sending a clear signal,” adds Heiko Fischer from 100 PROZENT DIGITAL, a long-standing partner of the trade fair and co-organizer of the Future Space. It was important to him to create a place where businesses and providers can come together to find solutions that truly help in everyday operations: “From digitalization and AI to skilled workers and leadership.”
The idea was implemented for the first time at the trade fair duo in March. It featured more than 30 practical presentations on a wide range of topics, a fully digital office as a best-practice example, and a networking area where entrepreneurs could deepen their knowledge and discuss problems with digitally experienced colleagues as well as experts.
