Education & Modern Work - vdma.eu

Jobs are also being cut in mechanical engineering because the framework conditions are not improving. Politicians are failing to do their homework: Reduce bureaucracy and taxes, make the labour market more flexible.

Mechanical engineering remains an attractive employer for engineers. 70% of companies expect the number to remain stable, 18% even expect an increase. AI skills are becoming increasingly important.

Two VDMA online events in early 2026 will focus on the practical implementation of pay transparency in small and medium-sized enterprises, with specific practical examples from a management and HR perspective.

Its activities are intended to ensure that fluid power training in Germany remains fit for the future and that the urgently needed next generation of specialists is optimally prepared.

On January 1, 2026 and over the course of next year, various changes will come into force in the areas of the labor market, old-age provision, health and care.

The Act to Stabilize Pension Levels and Equalize Child-Raising Periods has been published in the Federal Law Gazette. This concludes the legislative process.

On December 17, 2025, the Federal Cabinet decided to once again extend the period of entitlement to short-time working allowance by decree.

The Federal Ministry for Digitalization and State Modernization launched the EinfachMachen portal on 12 December 2025.

Suitability assessment for wireless communications systems in industrial real-time applications

In mid-2023, physicist Katrin Swimm decided to take a job in mechanical and plant engineering. Here, she can pursue her love of experimentation as a development engineer and exchange ideas with colleagues in a diverse team.

Demographic change, increasing competition for qualified specialists, and changing training and job profiles are leading to noticeable bottlenecks in the recruitment of young talent and trainees.

The VDMA Legal Department, together with employment law expert Dr. Kathrin Pietras, Andersen GmbH Rechtsberatung, is offering a webinar on the 2026 works council elections on January 15, 2026.

In the course of the final debate on December 5, 2025, the previous draft law was adopted in the version amended by the recommended resolution. Please find attached the recommended resolution and the report of the Defense Committee.

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.

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.

Mechanical engineering is gaining speed and precision with artificial intelligence. This innovative strength is also reflected in the theses submitted by graduates for the "Digitalization in Mechanical Engineering" prize for young talent.

The coalition committee of the CDU, CSU and SPD has agreed to extend the period of entitlement to short-time working allowance.

The NRW initiative "Europe - Experience and Learn" promotes stays abroad for trainees and strengthens international skills.

Germany as a high-tech location finally needs reforms. Only then can recruitment and employment incentives follow, as well as more interest in the important STEM degree programs.

The Industry-Science-Dialogue is a central platform for the exchange between companies and scientific institutions in the field of fluid technology throughout Europe.

With the Digital Omnibus, the EU wants to tackle three laws at the same time and thus create initial relief for the industry. However, this is not enough to ensure Europe's competitiveness as a digital location.

Only 37 percent of mechanical engineering companies are bound by collective agreements. Our latest survey shows: The majority rely on operational flexibility instead of formal collective agreements.

Improvements to the pension package are urgently needed. The Junge Union and Junge Gruppe of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group have a clearer view than the federal government.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has only partially upheld an action brought by Denmark to annul the Minimum Wage Directive and declared only subparagraphs null and void.

The economic reforms announced by the German government are still a long time coming, while jobs are being cut. Companies need tangible relief now and not at some point in the future - including in the social and labor market areas.

The Fifth Ordinance on the Adjustment of the Level of the Minimum Wage (Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance - MiLoV5) was published in the Federal Law Gazette on November 7, 2025.

On November 5, 2025, the Federal Government's Cabinet for Reducing Bureaucracy adopted key points for reducing bureaucracy, which also affect occupational health and safety.

The mechanical and plant engineering industry is facing new challenges: Legislative changes, political decisions and recent court rulings are changing the employment law framework and presenting companies with new challenges.

The individual case is decisive for the proportionality of the length of a probationary period in a fixed-term employment relationship.

The planned Collective Bargaining Loyalty Act will harm industrial SMEs because it will bring even more bureaucracy, even though companies pay fair wages. In addition, it only applies in Germany, which may give foreign companies an advantage.

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.

The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) has published the results of a company survey on the development of the burden of bureaucracy on German companies.

Median or best-paid colleague? What is the benchmark for equal pay claims?

From idea to impact: How the Adobe Kickbox and the 10 commandments of innovation promote courage, speed and a culture of learning.

Skills shortage meets technology: intelligent HMIs, VR training and assistance systems enable intuitive operation, faster familiarization and targeted training through microlearning.

#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 Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) has presented a plan to reduce bureaucracy in occupational health and safety.

Who is driving the future of mechanical engineering? What characterizes real innovation? At the Startup Award Mechanical Engineering Summit, young technology companies show how progress is made in our industry.

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.

On October 10, 2025, the Bundestag debated the first reading of the government draft of a law to strengthen the autonomy of collective bargaining by ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements when awarding federal public contracts (Collective Bargaining Compliance Act).

The Federal Employment Agency has published its new technical directive on the Temporary Employment Act (AÜG) as of October 1, 2025.

The web seminar “Lean in Practice” used a digital tour of ITA's smart factory to show how lean methods can measurably improve production processes and help to avoid waste in the long term.

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 works council must be involved when setting up a reporting office in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Germany's security situation has changed dramatically. A state of tension or a NATO, alliance or defence case can no longer be ruled out. Strengthening defence capabilities has moved to the top of the political agenda.

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.

"Googling" as part of a recruitment process triggers information obligations towards the applicant and can lead to a claim for compensation.

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.