Youth Recruitment and School - vdma.eu

Germany sees itself as a nation of technology. Innovation, engineering and strong SMEs have long been the foundation of our prosperity. Yet technology has so far played only a minor role in the education System.

On February 10, 2026, we held our virtual kick-off event to exchange experiences on the topic of recruiting young talent.

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.

From September 2 to 5, 2026, the international raw materials and building materials industry will meet at Europe's largest basalt quarry in Homberg/Nieder-Ofleiden in northern Hesse for steinexpo 2026.

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.

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

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

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 situation in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is generally quite stable. However, there are still too many unfilled training positions.

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.

EMO 2025 offers a diverse program for young talent

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Digitalization is driving the mechanical and plant engineering industry forward. This innovative strength is also reflected in the theses submitted by graduates from Germany and Austria.

Through the Walter Reiners Foundation, the VDMA Textile Machinery Association demonstrates its ongoing commitment to the next generation of engineers.

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.

Apprentices and students start their time at WITTENSTEIN with a week full of exciting experiences. Mr. Ismail Idali-Yahya, apprentice for metal technology, reports on his first days.

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.

Student theses demonstrate the importance and diversity of digitalization opportunities in mechanical engineering

Since 2012, VDMA Cleaning Systems, together with its partners GMR Varalakshmi Foundation and Don Bosco DBTech, has been operating training centers for the education of young people in the fields of facility management and housekeeping in India.

GMRVF addresses the skills gaps between the demand in labor markets and the supply of skilled workers.

GMRVF has partnered with VDMA to provide vocational training in home economics at its various centers.

GMRVF operates the Centre for Empowerment and Livelihoods in Delhi (CEL-D), which provides entry-level job training to school and college dropouts aged 18 to 30 from underserved families.

The GMRVF has partnered with VDMA to offer vocational training in cleaning and housekeeping at its various centers.

How the market for candidates is changing, why companies have long since ceased to have a choice and why hurdles urgently need to be removed.

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. 

For the third time, the VDMA invites to the virtual career fair for young technical talent - TechTalents. On December 14 and 15, VDMA members will once again have the opportunity to present themselves as exciting technology employers. Be there!

The 600-page report of the Enquete Commission on Vocational Education and Training in the Digital World of Work lacks a clear message, criticizes Dr. Jörg Friedrich, head of the VDMA's education department.

The majority of companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector are planning to recruit new staff. The situation has improved for young talent as the companies plan to expand their vocational training and dual study programs. Companies, on the other hand, are threatened with personnel bottlenecks that could endanger their innovative thrust.

Internships are the most important building block in career orientation for young people and a valuable recruitment tool for companies. But they have to be done well.