With its small and medium-sized business structure, the skilled trades represent an important sector of the local economy. At the end of 2023, the crafts groups "Health and personal care" with 775, "Construction" with 545 and "Electrical/metal" with 484 businesses were the most strongly represented in the federal city. There are a total of 2,456 registered businesses in Bonn, which, according to estimates by the Bonn/Rhine-Sieg District Crafts Association, provide an average of six jobs per business (converted into full-time employees). Accordingly, a total of around 15,000 employees subject to social security contributions or 17,000 people in employment - including entrepreneurs and family members - can be assumed. These generate an annual turnover of around 1.6 billion euros. The contribution of the skilled trades sector to the training of young people should be emphasized. In Bonn alone, 1,172 apprentices are undergoing training in a wide range of skilled trades; the number of companies providing training in 2023 was 407.

On May 7, 2024, Cologne's LANXESS arena hosted the largest training fair for the skilled trades in the region: At the AZUBI MEETUP Handwerk, almost 100 companies from Cologne, Bonn, Leverkusen and the neighboring districts presented themselves to young people starting their careers. The young people were able to test their manual skills on site and make direct contact with the companies. The event organized by the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) together with the Cologne, Bonn/Rhein-Sieg, Rhein-Erft and Bergisches Land district skilled crafts associations took place for the second time since 2023.

The Bonn Energy Agency (BEA) was established in 2010 and founded as an association in 2012. The 22 members of the association include the guilds of the building and finishing trades, the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg District Craftsmen's Association and the Cologne Chamber of Crafts. The BEA offers interested parties a neutral and independent point of contact for information on all aspects of energy-efficient renovation and construction as well as the use of renewable energies for private property owners. For example, the "Bau- und Sanierungstreff" lecture series offers a wide range of expert knowledge on a wide variety of topics. The Bonn Energy Days took place again in 2023, with the big information day on Münsterplatz in Bonn on September 9.

The energy transition in Bonn and the Rhein-Sieg district is a mammoth project. That's why representatives from the trades, guilds, the energy industry and energy suppliers came together on February 21 at the 1st SWB Energy Summit for Bonn and the region at Haus der Netze to exchange ideas. In various discussion forums and four panels on different topics, the guests got into conversation with each other. The panel discussions focused on the topics of "Opportunities and challenges on the path to climate neutrality" and "Challenges for the economy". For Bonn's Mayor Katja Dörner, Stadtwerke Bonn is a very important partner on the road to climate neutrality by 2035.

Since 2023, a regular, trusting exchange has taken place on a quarterly basis between the Mayor of Bonn and the District Craftsmen's Association with the participation of the Economic Development Department. Among other things, the district craftsmen's association reports on the economic situation. Other topics on the agenda include commercial space, transport, skilled workers and the climate plan.

In 2023, a number of measures were launched with the help of Bonn's economic development agency, which will make it easier for tradespeople in particular to complete orders.

On June 19, 2020, the "Joint Initiative for the Promotion of SMEs" was launched between the City of Bonn and the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts. The aim of this agreement is for the city of Bonn to pay particular attention to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and to create good framework conditions. Five major subject areas are defined in the SME agreement: Labor and training market policy, transport policy, climate protection and energy policy, economic promotion and urban development as well as digital service offerings (Smart City Bonn). Topics such as the compatibility of family and career and the recruitment of university graduates for the skilled trades are also addressed, as are, for example, e-mobility in skilled trades businesses, procurement practices and the promotion of innovation and technology transfer. The content of the SME initiative is currently being revised and will then be relaunched under the name Masterplan Handwerk 2024.