Education & Modern Work - vdma.org

On 27.08.2025, the Federal Cabinet adopted the draft law on the modernization of military service - Military Service Modernization Act (WDModG).

More than 3 million unemployed - these figures must be a wake-up call for politicians. Germany needs a turnaround in its labor market policy. Without a reduction in social spending and reforms, the situation will continue to worsen.

The mechanical engineering industry has to cope with serious additional burdens: US tariffs are making business considerably more difficult, while rising social security contributions and high taxes are weakening companies. The government needs to act quickly.

Millions of tons of plastic end up unstructured in recycling or in the environment every day. But with Future Technologies and education, waste can be turned into something new: knowledge, enthusiasm and the chance for a sustainable future.

Interview with Mr. Shi Tao, General Manager, KOCKS Beijing Metallurgical Equipment

Training on land & at sea - diverse employment opportunities & attractive environment in an industry that is on the rise

The number of employees in the mechanical engineering sector in Germany fell slightly in the first half of the year, but companies are holding on to their core workforces even in turbulent times.

Companies in the machinery and equipment manufacturing sector pay well, but still are to be branded by means of the Collective Bargaining Compliance Law. The government is steering the wrong course here - it's the same for social spending.

Employment is also declining in industry and as long as the federal government refuses to make real reforms to the labor market, the problem will continue to worsen. This is also reflected in the draft budget.

Production technologies are driving Germany forward as a high-tech country. The new Hightech-Agenda is heading in the right direction, but this progress is still only on paper.

Salary benchmarks for selected professional positions in Chinese mechanical engineering - exclusively for members

No-poaching agreements have been in the sights of antitrust authorities for some time. Now the European Commission has imposed severe fines for the first time.

In the third consultation meeting on the minimum wage adjustment on June 27, 2025, the Minimum Wage Commission unanimously passed a resolution to increase the minimum wage on the basis of a mediation proposal by the chairwoman.

The pension package with additional expenditure envisaged by Labor Minister Bas does not solve any of the problems, but rather increases them. Companies and employees need serious structural reforms.

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

An updated version of the online edition of the laws that must be posted on June 1, 2025 has been published in the GDA Employers' Library.

A probationary period termination can be classified as contrary to good faith due to contradictory behavior if the takeover was previously promised.

The VDMA and the WITTENSTEIN Foundation are bringing you to Berlin – to the most important industry event for mechanical and plant engineering.

For six weeks, the focus was on young people, their prospects and mechanical engineering throughout Germany. Several thousand offers for young talent at 407 company and university locations are proof of the success.

Women who suffer a miscarriage from the 13th week of pregnancy have been subject to maternity protection since June 1, 2025.

Young engineering talent meets industry decision-makers: 30 students discuss the future of mechanical engineering with leading executives at the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2025. Be there and contribute your perspective!

Non-wage labor costs must be significantly reduced, only then can more employment be expected. this requires a real structural reform in the social security branches.

The EU and the United Kingdom have decided to enter into a dialog on the entry and stay of persons for business purposes. The VDMA hopes that this will facilitate work assignments in the United Kingdom.

In a FAQ, the EU Commission has clarified what the AI Regulation (AI Act) means by AI competence and what obligations apply to the operators of AI systems.

In May 2025, the VDMA is launching a new funding project with the aim of supporting female engineers in their professional development and sensitizing key stakeholders in companies to the gender dimension of corporate culture.

Verena Grifone Fuchs, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering, works as a technical project manager at Thomas Magnete. This role requires her to have a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills and technical expertise.

Forwarding of personal employee data by works council member via private email account justifies exclusion from works council

The newly formed government wants to maintain the voluntary nature of military service. In addition, it plans to further strengthen the reserve and homeland security and to better anchor them structurally and socially.

Compensation after loss of control of data

Disclosure of health data by employers can lead to compensation.

Companies in Germany urgently need relief, also in terms of labor market regulations. Switching to a maximum weekly working time would be an important step towards more flexibility.

Mental health is a strategic success factor: investing in leadership, team spirit and culture reduces absenteeism and boosts motivation, innovation and employee loyalty.

Current labor law and political decisions present companies with new challenges - an overview of the most important changes and practical recommendations for implementation.

Germany brings up the rear of the industrialized nations in terms of forecast economic growth. Reforms are also needed in the labor market, which can be perceived as painful.

Many companies are still facing bottlenecks in the recruitment of young talent. The VDMA is therefore launching the "Weeks of Technology" together with its members and universities.

Strengthen the resilience of your company. Our series of events shows ways through difficult economic times - compact, practical and future-orientated.

The BAG specifies the requirements for non-material claims for damages under Art. 82 para. 1 GDPR.

For the fifth time, exhibitors and VDMA members presented themselves to young visitors and provided exciting insights into the various apprenticeships in the construction equipment industry.

No economic growth, an ageing society and rising expenditure and contributions: The challenges in labor market and social policy could hardly be greater.

The future of pension funding is the biggest gap in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. Unpopular measures are also needed to make pensions fit for the future.

On April 11, 2025, the 2025 garnishment exemption limits pursuant to Section 850c ZPO were published in the Federal Law Gazette.

In economically challenging times, companies are often faced with the difficult task of optimizing their personnel costs.

Young people in transition are an often overlooked but potentially valuable target group - also for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides comprehensive employment and wage statistics. In our interactive report, we clearly present data by industry, occupational group and location.

Mechanical engineering is full of opportunities - but many young women are still hesitant. We want to change that with exclusive insights as part of a series of excursions for technology students.

The number of international students in Germany is growing steadily. This is good news for mechanical engineering.

The labor market is sending a clear signal: structural reforms are needed now instead of further social benefits, even if they may be unpopular.

Company agreements must be fully GDPR-compliant.

To ensure the competitiveness of the mechanical and plant engineering industry, the VDMA is calling for reliable economic framework conditions. A strong industry means a strong economy.

The parties to the collective agreement in the M E industry in Baden-Württemberg have concluded a collective agreement that enables companies to lend employees to each other in order to avoid short-time working or redundancies.