Craftsmen are worried about the start of the new school year in the face of the war in Ukraine and inflation, but the majority say they are optimistic for the future, according to a survey published on Tuesday August 30 by CMA France, the national body of Chambers of trades and trades. craftsmanship.
Of 2.000 craftsmen questioned in July and August by the organization Qualitest, most say they are worried (87% in total), but 43% describe themselves as "worried but optimistic". In addition, 13% say they are confident despite everything.
Rising fuel prices and general inflation top their list of problems.
"We are in a more worrying artisanal economic situation", declared Joël Fourny, president of CMA France, during a press conference. "We are in a strategy of caution", he continues, stressing the need to "adapt constantly".
73% of craftsmen plan to maintain their activity, which represents a small drop compared to last year (-4,9 points).
Slightly more than half of them expect their activity to remain stable over the next six months and they are slightly fewer than last year (27,5%, i.e. -8,1 points) to think that it will deteriorate.
"The watchword is stability," says Julien Gondard, CEO of CMA France.
The number of artisans with a good or excellent opinion of the current economic situation of their business remains stable at around 36%.
The number of net registrations also soared, to 80.000 from 31.500 in the same period last year, bringing the total number of businesses to 1,83 million.
"This shows the dynamics of the sector, but we must remain vigilant on the typology of companies created", points out Mr. Gondard, stressing that "more than half of the creations are micro-enterprises".
Among the craftsmen questioned, a quarter of them say they are ready to recruit within the year, "which is equivalent to 500.000 jobs overall", according to CMA France.
The organization claims to make apprenticeship one of its priorities, while 21,7% of craft businesses are ready to welcome one or more apprentices in the next six months.
"Our country must absolutely continue to strongly support apprenticeship training. It is imperative to meet the skilled labor needs of our craft businesses in a context of high tension for many sectors and trades", assures CMA France .
