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The German government's pension package is a step backwards, not a step forward. Instead of urgently needed structural reforms, it cements the imbalance in the system every year.
The NRW initiative "Europe - Experience and Learn" promotes stays abroad for trainees and strengthens international skills.
On March 4, 2026, the VDMA Forum Quantum Technologies and Photonics invites you to an exclusive lab tour at PTB Braunschweig. Gain practical insights into quantum technologies and their industrial applications.
As team leader at WITTENSTEIN, Elena Albert is responsible for the development of sensors, intelligent software tools and digital services. Agile working, management tasks and business trips around the world mean that her job is never boring.
From idea to impact: How the Adobe Kickbox and the 10 commandments of innovation promote courage, speed and a culture of learning.
#enSHEneer shows how female engineers are shaping mechanical engineering – visibly, inspiringly and accessibly. We are looking for new candidates for 2026. Get involved now and make diversity visible!
The shortage of skilled workers is worsening. But those who act early can benefit: The concept of the labor market hub shows how companies can retain skilled workers - and attract new ones - through targeted placement and training.
The training courses offered by the VDMA Academy specifically promote professional development and the acquisition of new skills—tailored to the current and future requirements of companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
The training situation in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is generally quite stable. However, there are still too many unfilled training positions.
Innovative approaches to generate enthusiasm for STEM professions and strengthen cooperation between education and industry at the 3rd Hamburg Engineering Summit
In an already tense economic situation, the Collective Bargaining Act is a step in the wrong direction. The effect is to burden medium-sized companies in Germany but not foreign competitors.
The expert audience has made its decision: with its acoustic AI solution that detects even the smallest defects in metals, the Dutch startup RESONIKS prevailed over two other finalists in the live vote for the Startup Award.
According to the OECD education report, Germany only remains in the international midfield - despite increased spending on education. The VDMA is therefore calling for minimum standards in German and mathematics as well as targeted quality assurance measures in the education system.
Olena Barkova came to Nuremberg from Ukraine 23 years ago to start her career at Baumüller. She still works here today and, as a software developer, has not only found her profession, but her vocation.
A different way of imparting knowledge: "Hydrogen to go" is an information service consisting of short, playful video clips, designed for anyone who wants to find out information quickly and compactly.
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.
Salary benchmarks for selected professional positions in Chinese mechanical engineering - exclusively for members
North Rhine-Westphalia has strengthened its leading position in the selection of Clusters of Excellence for the upcoming funding period from 2026.
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.
The Mechanical Engineering Summit in Berlin is the "place to be" for young entrepreneurs
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!
It is right to combine the topic of startups and scaleups with an EU strategy. After all, startups drive Europe's innovative strength and future viability.
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.
Mental health is a strategic success factor: investing in leadership, team spirit and culture reduces absenteeism and boosts motivation, innovation and employee loyalty.
Discover the world of quantum technology in this podcast! Experts discuss the latest advances and applications.
Young people in transition are an often overlooked but potentially valuable target group - also for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
In economically difficult times, the VDMA supports its members with valuable information and personal advice. Together we will find the right course and strengthen the resilience of the companies.
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 labor market is sending a clear signal: structural reforms are needed now instead of further social benefits, even if they may be unpopular.
87 percent of mechanical engineering apprentices are satisfied or even very satisfied with their apprenticeship. This is the result of a recent VDMA survey.
Katharina, an enthusiastic mechatronics engineer, is a planning engineer at Festool. She designs, procures and commissions production systems for high-quality electric motors. A great deal of technology and practical work make her everday work varied
DescriptionIf done well and in an interesting way, addressing parents in a targeted manner can make an important contribution to securing the next generation of skilled workers in the long term.
In episode 7 of the video series "Mechanical Engineering meets Young Professionals", Miriam Härter and Florian Frühbeis from HAWE Hydraulik SE present their tasks at the plant in Freising.
Achieving corporate resilience requires risk management, supply chain management, adaptability, employee engagement, new technologies and crisis management. This requires competent managers and employees.
A survey of around 550 companies shows: 62 percent of companies offer dual studies - and benefit from them. This is because most of the junior staff stay with the company that trains them.
Through the transfer of technology and knowledge, students receive practical training and companies can retain skilled workers. SMEs should be supported in cooperations in university teaching.
Managers face particular challenges in economically difficult times. They have to convey stability while experiencing uncertainty themselves.
Strengthening flexibility and resilience is essential for companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector to successfully overcome crises and remain competitive in the long term.
In economically challenging times, companies face the difficult task of communicating restructuring, short-time work or even job cuts.
Every year, around 250,000 young people try to find their way into vocational training after leaving school with the help of the transition area. There is a wide range of programs to choose from, but too often companies and young people do not find a match.
The VDMA has addressed extensive demands to politicians. What do the parties think? Our overview shows the extent to which the mechanical and plant engineering industry is taken into account in the programs for the federal election on February 23, 2025.
Mechanical and plant engineering offers female engineers a wide range of career opportunities. The FEMWORX congress at the Hannover Messe shows how more women can be attracted to engineering professions.
Several million people in Germany use elevators and escalators every day. And the number is growing. What opportunities does the industry offer and what does everyday working life look like? A planning and sales expert talks about her job.
Many young people in the transition period between school and work are suitable for training. Targeted support could attract them to careers in mechanical engineering.
VDMA, member companies, and faculties and departments of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology from all over Germany are joining forces and working together for the next generation!
To make the campaign a success, we need as many offers as possible from all over Germany. To do this, we need the support of all VDMA members and university partners. Together for more young technology talent!
In our theme publications, you will find facts, figures and data related to vocational training, engineering courses, skilled workers, mechanical engineers and women in machinery and equipment manufacturing.
How many apprenticeship positions are currently available? How many applicants are there? How have supply and demand for the most important professions developed in recent years? Get all the information at a glance here.
The VDMA calls for a labor market policy that secures skilled workers, recognizes performance, offers flexibility, and thereby stabilizes our social systems.
At the end of 2024, Switzerland and the EU managed to redefine their relations. It is questionable whether the necessary referendum in Switzerland will accept the rules.
Sustainably developing innovative strength in the company. The Web-Erfa explored the question of which decisive factors contribute to promoting employees' ability to innovate.
Study by the IMPULS Foundation for Engineering Education for Industry 4.0 develops the first target profile for engineers in industry 4.0 Appeal to universities: Making teaching more interdisciplinary New competencies: Computer Science, Data Science and Data Security
Structural changes are needed, not the expansion of expensive special formats. The extension of the short-time working allowance is a political mistake.
Heavy seas and no calm in sight: the mechanical engineering industry expects a decline in production and a slight reduction in jobs in 2025. A political turnaround is needed to strengthen the industry.
Competitiveness, growth and a long-term supply of labor and skilled workers require adaptability, a flexible labor market and a future-proof social security system.
How can we get young people interested in technology and thus in technical training occupations and degree programmes? How can we counteract the shortage of young talent?
Through the Walter Reiners Foundation, the VDMA Textile Machinery Association demonstrates its ongoing commitment to the next generation of engineers.
The toolbox is a practice-oriented collection of good practice examples of proven methods and innovative approaches for university teaching in the engineering sciences. Now with new examples and a fresh look!
Electrical engineer Carla Albrecht optimizes modern heating and cooling systems using computer simulations. The mother of three has found an exciting job at Danfoss that she enjoys and is compatible with her family.
The VDMA provides a wide range of services and advice for member companies, but also for universities and media agencies in the field of science policy and engineering studies. An overview.
A Forsa survey provides surprising insights into the priorities of German employees. The 4-day week is far behind in terms of importance.
Carina Witzel has been working as a sales engineer at SEW-EURODRIVE in Hamburg since the beginning of 2022. She finds her work exciting because she can combine technology and interpersonal communication.
Why is it important to jointly create a communicative wave and draw attention to our industry and its attractiveness as an employer with uniform messages? Mr. Brodtmann provides the right answers.
Jennifer Korte has been associated with DMG Mori since her studies. She now works as a development engineer for machine tools. Her job is to make the turning-milling machines more efficient and powerful.
In our mobilization package put together for you, you will find useful information, tips, guidelines and links for your participation in our joint young talent campaign and your day-to-day business in recruiting young talent.
The VDMA Young Talent Campaign aims to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in mechanical and plant engineering and to inspire young talent for technical professions. Show your colors. The campaign will only be a success if you get involved.
The baby boomers will soon be retiring and there is a great need for young talent. The VDMA is launching a powerful campaign to get young people interested in technical professions. Your help is crucial to get such a wave rolling!
In an agile development process, we investigated which criteria are most important to young people when choosing their future profession. The results are surprising.
Even if the shortage of skilled workers has recently eased somewhat, securing skilled workers remains a key challenge. Find out about the current situation in the various occupational fields here.
The VDMA salary survey provides a detailed overview of the status quo regarding the salaries of a good 160 typical positions in our industry.
Varied tasks that bring together different specialist areas, perspectives and people and dissolve boundaries - this is how Greta describes her motivation and her path through Bosch.
The Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW) at the University of Stuttgart cordially invites you to participate in the 12th Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT).
Laser manufacturers and laser users from various industries will meet for the 14th time at the AKL - International Laser Technology Congress from April 17. – 19., 2024.
We, the education department of the VDMA, support our members in all matters relating to the recruitment of junior staff, schools, training, studies and further education and serve as a bridge to education policy. Here you will find the right contact person for your topic and your question.
Tools are helpful if they are suitable for the task and have been tried and tested in use. Unsuitable tools or their improper use often cause damage - both at the workbench and in organizations.
Due to the authentic approach, many companies rely on their own trainees to reach pupils when recruiting young talent. The VDMA offers the right virtual training for your technical trainees.
Are you already using the new young talent portal of the VDMA? Here, young people are inspired for mechanical and plant engineering, informed about career opportunities and directly provided with suitable jobs. Attractive benefits are also waiting for VDMA members.
Cindy Cierpka is studying electrical engineering and, as a working student at Nordex, is part of a team that develops and tests test benches for wind turbines. The subject area also provides plenty of material for her bachelor's thesis, which she will be starting shortly.
Making a concrete contribution to the expansion of renewable energies gives Eva Buchta the feeling of doing something meaningful. In the research and development department at Siemens AG, she works with others on the energy system of tomorrow.
Demographic change, a shortage of skilled workers, unfilled training positions - these are currently predominant issues in Germany when it comes to recruiting employees. But what is it like in other countries? We asked around locally.
The mix of study and in-company training is popular. The dual study program is particularly popular in mechanical engineering and is proving to be a successful model, a survey of students shows.
The VDMA Salary Study is ready! As planned, the printed results report will be available at the end of March, so we will be sending it out to study participants in the first week of April. Non-participants can order from the store from the beginning of April.
Mechanical engineering offers young professionals many attractive activities and career development opportunities. The VDMA has produced a video series with member companies - the result is five exciting clips that will whet your appetite for more.
Womengineers is an online check that provides companies with tailored recommendations for attracting more women to technical professions and retaining them in the long term. It is based on the IMPULS study "Women engineers in mechanical and plant engineering".
Change is needed in various areas of education and working life to attract more women to technical professions. The latest study by the VDMA's Impuls Foundation investigates exactly what is needed. For the first time, the study focuses on the link between studies, career entry and the first years of employment for female engineers.
They are considered to be particularly demanding and at the same time they can choose their jobs: Companies supposedly have to roll out the red carpet for the young professionals of the so-called Generation-Z. But as is so often the case, cliché and reality differ considerably. Recruiting young talent has not become easier for industrial companies in the digital age. But with a little courage and creativity, Generation-Z can also be reached well.
Successful project completion: From 2013 to the end of 2021, the VDMA worked to increase student success with its project "Maschinenhaus - Platform for Innovative Teaching" . The transfer projects were the largest subproject.
The VDMA networks universities with companies and is committed to increasing student success in the engineering sciences.
The number of vacancies for engineers in the mechanical engineering sector has reached a new high and demand will continue to grow. Currently, two out of three companies have engineering vacancies to fill.
VDMA Robotics invites companies and organizations to support the GOOD WORK CHARTER, developed by the European Robotics Industry.
The information portal for foreign professional qualifications (BQ-Portal) bundles all relevant information on foreign professional qualifications and vocational training systems on one platform.
The network of the Federal Employment Agency also plays a central role in the placement of skilled workers from abroad.
List of Germany-wide continuing education offerings from educational institutions, universities and institutes.
List of planned experience exchange events ("ERFA") from the North, VDMA Regional Association North and the Marine Equipment and Systems (MES) working group.
VDMA Software and Digitalization and the VDMA initiative "Maschinenhaus" - platform for innovative teaching - are jointly offering the "Digitalization in Mechanical Engineering" Young Talent Award. The award is intended to recognize outstanding final theses by students from engineering and computer science departments who have developed practical solutions for the digital transformation in mechanical and plant engineering.
What is behind the much-heard terms incubator and accelerator? Using the example of Kärcher, Carina Traa and Andrea Veerkamp-Walz try to clarify the situation.
Description
In order to remain technologically and economically successful in the future, the Executive Board of the trade association has launched three strategic working groups on central and future-relevant topics.
Digitization and changing market conditions are causing recruitment channels to change. In this article you will find some highlights from theory and practice.
"No graduation without a connection" - with this goal, North Rhine-Westphalia organizes the transition from school to work throughout the state. Vocational orientation already begins in school and targeted support offers support the transition.
The VDMA East working groups provide important impulses for your daily work. They show best practice examples, provide valuable suggestions and promote contacts among members - currently also in web meetings.
The digital event series "Connect2Discover@VDMA" invites you to get to know your association better. It offers you a regular insight into our wide range of services and shows you how you can best use your association for your tasks.
The world is becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambivalent (VUCA). What mindset and methods you can use to cope with this and position your company accordingly.
42 percent of AI startups for mechanical engineering come from Europe. Process optimization, visual quality control and predictive maintenance as key innovation fields. Financing is lacking in Europe.
Today, technical knowledge is a fundamental part of general education. However, a comprehensive analysis of the curricula at general education schools carried out by the VDMA in all German states shows: The vast majority of young people can graduate from school without ever coming into contact with designated technology education. On this page you will find all the results of the individual federal states, the state comparison in the compendium as well as other useful press information.
Currently there is a lot of talk about "agility". But: What are agile methods helpful for? What does it actually mean to become more "agile"? And what does all this mean for the topic of "leadership" in the company.
Startups looking for access to the unique European mechanical engineering network have come to the right place at VDMA. As a platform, we support young companies in gaining a foothold in mechanical and plant engineering.
Start-up methods and collaboration - we work closely with mechanical engineering companies and start-ups to find out how it's done. We offer various support services for knowledge transfer: from hands-on workshops, studies and best-practice reports to innovation tours.
The VDMA accompanies and supports its members on the way to Industrie 4.0. Here you will find an overview of the current publications on the topic.
Guiding principle 6: Our employees are our most valuable asset. We promote commitment and opportunities for participation
Do you actually know all the services of our association that are important to you? Whether online, in writing or in person: Our range of services is as diverse as our industry - here you will find an overview.
Analysis of 1700 questionnaires shows deficits in specialist knowledge about industry 4.0 Universities must develop curricula for industry 4.0 Employees must be prepared for digital change through further training strategies
How much do development engineers and IT specialists earn in a medium-sized company? The VDMA Salary Survey 2019 clarifies the situation and provides indications for company-specific salary benchmarking.
A recent VDMA investigation shows that The vast majority of young people can finish school without ever coming into contact with a proven technical education. Germany as a nation of technology cannot really afford this.
The initial phases of innovation determine whether ideas become innovations. We report on some highlights from two workshops "Real Time Innovation". A Real Time Innovation Canvas brings new perspectives to the phases and components of a successful innovation.
The VDMA regularly publishes studies and surveys on engineering studies and derives suitable positions and statements from them.
A good 71 percent of the companies see digitization as one of the central strategic priorities, but only 27 percent of the companies are satisfied with the current status of digitization activities - almost 25 percent even see considerable need for improvement.
The VDMA Education Committee is the main body for networking and exchange between VDMA member companies on education issues and for monitoring and controlling VDMA activities in this area.
These useful links about studies, education and trainings give you a short overview of the topic.
There are many activities organised by ProduktionNRW's network partners throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. These activities aim at young people such as pupils, students, teachers and companies.
As a key industry, the mechanical and plant engineering sector in North Rhine-Westphalia needs highly qualified employees who can identify and exploit opportunities for innovation even in a turbulent environment.
