“Handwerk Live” and WorldSkills Germany at glasstec 2024

At WorldSkills Germany young glaziers compete with each other measuring up their skills at glasstec 2024.

30.07.2024

At glasstec 2024 you can experience the glazier trade with all your senses! Beyond side events that invite you to join in and try out, the sector’s current topics and trends are centre stage – like at the special show “Handwerk Live” (Craft Live) and WorldSkills Germany.

As the world-leading trade fair for the glass industry, glasstec provides the glass sector with a unique platform for discovering new products and applications, exchanging ideas with experts and gearing up for the future. Traditionally, the meeting point for networking and exchanging experiences among the glass-processing trades has been the joint stand of BIV – the Federal Association of Glazier Trades in Hall 10 – which is also host to the state vocational training colleges.

About “Bundesinnungsverband des Glaserhandwerks – BIV” (Federal Association of the Glazier Trades)

In Germany, the BIV is the key authority for the glazier trade; its task is to develop technical guidelines, cooperate in standardisation, represent the sector’s interests in business, policy and legal matters, compile training regulations for journeymen, masters and technicians and to handle public relations. The Federal Association of Young Glaziers and Window Makers is also home to young glaziers who – beyond their official roles – are committed to current trends and innovations via personal contacts.

Why glass and crafts? Glass is a high-tech material for architecture boasting unique properties. In addition to providing transparency and allowing light into interiors, glass coatings and structural compounds make for reflection and transmission, which – via in-built electronics – can also be controlled: glass becomes a part of smart homes. Glass design goes far beyond stained glass – turning nowadays to modern digital and chemical-physical technologies. Nevertheless, as before, it takes skilled craftspeople and know-how to put innovative glass architecture and glass objects into practice.

Discover the unique material that is glass at the special show “Handwerk Live”, WorldSkills Germany or the fascinating glass art exhibition at glasstec 2024. Spectacular glass products and applications await you!

With its finger on the sector’s pulse – “Handwerk Live” (Craft Live)

glasstec as the leading trade fair offers the glazier trade a unique platform for information and exchange on the trends and developments in the sector. It provides valuable impulses for the future. Presentations of products and applications live, expert lectures and workshops demonstrate new techniques and trends – making this the ideal forum for encounters with experts and interested parties from Germany and the world over.

At the “Handwerk Live” special show you will experience all facets of the glazier trade:

Products and applications – live and hands-on: the latest glass products for building skins and interior design, innovative applications
Join-in activities and challenges: test your skills in a variety of challenges
Supporting line-up of expert lectures and workshops: expand your knowledge and learn about new techniques and trends

glasstec is a “must” for all glaziers keen to gather information on the latest trends and developments in the sector and wishing to gear their businesses up for the future – or interested parties wanting to immerse themselves in the diversity of glass.

Hall 10, Stand C60

Young glaziers measure up their skills – WorldSkills Germany @‌glasstec

Another highlight at glasstec 2024: the national finals of WorldSkills Germany held in cooperation with the Federal Association of Glazier Trades to qualify for EuroSkills 2025 in Denmark. At glasstec the contestants of the European Championship will be announced in a ceremony.

EuroSkills

There is no bigger event across Europe than EuroSkills when it comes to vocational training and craftmanship skills. Every two years the elite of young talents from 33 member states meets to compete and find out who really champions their craft or profession. In 2025 in Herning, Denmark.

For the glazier trade the qualifying round has been held at BIV’s exhibition stand at glasstec since 2022. The required machinery, tools and materials are provided by many companies involved in the glass sector – such as the German producers Hegla, Knopp and Bohle as well as international manufacturers like Bovone or Saint-Gobain.

The six young contestants, all aged under 25, have already been established: three male and three female participants from Germany and Austria, who have already completed their training and stood out with their special talent, reports Rolf Fuess, Technical Advisor at the Institute for Glazing Technology and Fenestration at the BIV. Over three days they will be given eight hours per day to complete a given project. This involves both precise planning – because an incorrect grinding allowance or a misplaced hole drilled can cost participants victory – and calm, precise and efficient working since there is no time for a second attempt; and this also requires participants to focus on the task while the public focuses on the participants. Faced with many challenges the young contestants are left to their own devices relying on their experience and their skills. On the last morning the Skills contestants will also build a shower model to RAL specs in the competition area.

In the end: the jury – made up of glass experts from across Germany – decides. In April 2024 the charismatic Andreas Hart was nominated and elected the new coach for Germany’s National Glazier Team. The WorldSkills Germany winner will then be announced on the last day of glasstec.

Be curious and join in the excitement!

Halle 10, Stand C60

About National Coach Andreas Hart

In June 2024 Andreas Hart was elected as the new Guild Master of the Bavarian Association of Glazier Trades (LIV) – he also acts as the LIV Bavaria Delegate at the National Association of Glazier Trades (BIV). He has taught at the vocational college in Vilshofen (Germany) for over two decades and owns a glazier shop. Andreas Hart was appointed National Coach of the National Glazier Team for WorldSkills Germany by BIV and the National Association of Young Glaziers and Window Makers. At glasstec 2024 in Düsseldorf he will act as a National Coach in public for the first time.

Succumb to the fascination of glass art

The special glass art show will showcase extraordinary artworks and objects from international galleries and is one of glasstec’s top highlights. Be inspired by the diversity and creativity of glass art and experience the whole bandwidth of this fascinating material. International artists will be exhibiting their sometimes award-winning glass artworks in many shapes, colours and facets. The spectrum ranges from small, filigree glass vessels and sculptures to large and impressive stained glass works.

glass art is a “must” for all glass art lovers and those seeking inspiration from the creative and innovative power of glass as a material turned into art.

Hall 16, Stand B01