TheReichsberufswettkampf (translated as "Reich vocational contest" or "national trade competition") was an annualvocational competition held inNazi Germany as part of theGleichschaltung of German society.

The competition was organised by theGerman Labour Front with the aid of theHitler Youth and theNational Socialist German Students' League. It was held at the local,Gau and national level, and was subdivided into numerous vocational and academic branches. Competitors were tested in the theory and practice of their profession, as well as in their adherence toNazi ideology. Women were also tested inhousekeeping. The winners were presented to Labour Front headRobert Ley and toHitler in person, and could expect substantial professional advancement.

The number of competitors grew from some 500,000 in 1934 at the first competition to 3,500,000 in 1939. Students were admitted in 1935 and adults in 1938. The competition was suspended at the outbreak ofWorld War II in 1939, with the exception of a wartime competition (Kriegsreichsberufswettkampf) in 1944.

• Michael A. Kather: The Reich Vocational Contest and Students of Higher Learning in Nazi Germany. In: Central European History 7,3 (1974), S. 225–261.
• Markus Stappen: The Badges and Documents in the National Trade Competition,ISBN 978-3-9817001-4-5
• For German sources of the period, see theGerman language article.