Lotse - Köpfe Header 3

Photo

VDMA Navigator

Finding and keeping the best minds

Lotse - Köpfe Header description

Whether specialists or managers, engineers, national or international - targeted recruiting strategies, attractive framework conditions and modern personnel development are now in demand! The mechanical and plant engineering sector is already suffering from a shortage of young talent. Added to this is demographic change: around a quarter of the industry's workforce will retire in the next ten years. In order to remain internationally competitive, companies need to attract and retain the best talent.


New work concepts, digitalized workplaces, changing employee expectations: The world of work is undergoing rapid change, placing high demands on politics, society and companies. But what does this mean in concrete terms? How can companies prepare for change and what do they need to do to take advantage of it?

Recommendation of the month

Recommendation of the monthTIPP

exklusiv

  • Labor law
In tough economic times, companies often face the tricky task of keeping their staff while also trying to cut personnel costs. A recent publication gives an initial overview of a wide range of measures—including some that can be implemented quickly—such as reducing overtime in a targeted way or introducing short-time work.

Lotse Meistgelesen Köpfe

Most readTIPP
  • VDMA campaign for young professionals
We want to promote technical professions across the country with a wide range of career and study orientation offerings. Companies, universities, and the VDMA have joined forces to demonstrate the appeal of employment and career opportunities in mechanical and plant engineering from April 28 to June 6, 2025. Find out more!

Lotse - Köpfe - Nachwuchsgewinnung und Recruiting

Attracting and recruiting young talent

The VDMA Young Talent Campaign: How do I find qualified young talent for my company?

The mechanical and plant engineering industry already does a lot to recruit young talent, but too little is said about it. The commitment is manifold, with the VDMA young talent campaign we want to strengthen it, bundle it and make it visible. Share your activities and inspire with videos on social media. Use our tools and become part of the wave!

 

To the expert page Young talent campaign

Women engineers in mechanical engineering: How can companies attract and retain more women in technical professions?

A change is needed in various areas of education and working life in order to attract more women to technical professions. The current study by the VDMA Impuls Foundation examines what exactly is needed. For the first time, the focus is on the hinge between studies/career entry and the first years of employment of female engineers.

IMPULS study on female engineers in mechanical and plant engineering

 

Based on the study, recommendations were developed for companies to attract and retain women in the industry in the long term. The online check focuses on the scope for action for companies and is divided into the modules "Recruiting and attracting female engineers" and "Retaining and keeping female engineers".

To the online check

Lotse - Köpfe - Wissensmanagement und Kompetenzentwicklung

Knowledge management and skills development

Knowledge database: How can I make knowledge available and retain it in the company?

As a result of demographic change, enormous amounts of knowledge are flowing out of companies. This knowledge needs to be preserved and made available to future employees. The guide "The knowledge database" supports mechanical engineering companies in the various project phases when setting up a knowledge management database.

 

Guide "The knowledge database"

Future skills: What skills will be needed in mechanical and plant engineering in the future?

The mechanical and plant engineering industry in Germany is in the midst of a digital transformation. New technologies are changing processes in companies and redefining value chains. The VDMA's "Future Skills in Mechanical and Plant Engineering" study, which was produced in collaboration with the Kienbaum Institute@ISM at the International School of Management (ISM), the in-house research institute of HR and management consultancy Kienbaum, highlights these forward-looking changes.

Study "Future skills in mechanical and plant engineering"

 

In addition to explanations for future-oriented skills management, a supplementary handout has been developed containing a skills box and skills profiles derived as examples for individual job descriptions. It is intended to support HR managers in member companies in their day-to-day work.

Future Skills" handout

How can I successfully lead and motivate my team in uncertain times?

In economically challenging times, good leadership is crucial. Here is a practical overview of how you can create clarity, encourage motivation and navigate your team through change.

Mental health
Why is mental health a strategic success factor in mechanical engineering companies?

Mental illness is one of the most common causes of incapacity for work and early retirement today. Investing in leadership, team climate and culture reduces absenteeism and strengthens employee motivation, innovation and loyalty.

 

Find out more

 

 

The Maschinenbau-Institut offers you seminars and training courses to qualify your specialists and managers of tomorrow. Find out about our wide range of further training courses in the field of personnel management and find the right individual training course for you.

 

To the offers of the Mechanical Engineering Institute

How can I successfully control change management in my company?

The mechanical and plant engineering industry is characterized by disruptive developments and the pressure to change is constantly increasing. Companies have to reposition themselves in order to remain competitive and occupy new technological fields. The seminar provides you with strategies and practical tools for change management so that you as a manager can lead your employees with confidence.

 

To the seminar of the Mechanical Engineering Institute

Lotse - Köpfe - Rahmenbedingungen: Gut zu wissen

General conditions: Good to know

The VDMA salary study: Who earns what in mechanical engineering?

How much does a development engineer earn in a medium-sized company? What do IT specialists earn? Companies don't want to pay too much, but they also want to retain good employees. The VDMA Salary Study 2023/2024 sheds light on this.

 

The VDMA salary study can be ordered directly here.

Education and the workforce: what do the latest figures tell us?

In our themed publications you will find facts, figures and data on vocational training, engineering degree courses, skilled workers, engineers and women in mechanical engineering.

 

You can find an overview of the publications here

Which additional benefits promote employee loyalty?

Additional benefits that offer employees added value increase their satisfaction and strengthen their loyalty to the company. The most popular benefits include the company pension scheme (bAV) and company health insurance (bKV).

What do I need to bear in mind if I want to employ skilled workers who are resident abroad?

"Mobile working abroad" has become a hot topic for companies that want to attract qualified specialists and managers based outside Germany. But what needs to be considered?

 

Find out more

How can I reduce the bureaucratic burden when working in Europe?

Work assignments and business trips within Europe are subject to strict bureaucratic rules and are anything but trivial in terms of preparation and implementation. Reporting obligations, A1 certificates and the Posted Workers Directive must be taken into account when planning.

 

Find out more on the expert page "Work assignments in Europe"

How can personnel costs be optimised in difficult times?

In economically challenging times, companies are often faced with the difficult task of optimizing their personnel costs. A recent publication provides an initial overview of a wide range of measures that can be implemented, even in the short term, such as the targeted reduction of overtime or the introduction of short-time working through to staff reductions.

 

To the publication "Personnel costs in the crisis" (German)

How can I use short-time working as a possible measure in the event of a lack of orders?

In the event of an increasing lack of orders and underutilization of capacity, companies and employees can make use of the instrument of short-time work with short-time allowance. The focus RECHT brochure "Short-time work and short-time allowance" provides an initial overview of the most important requirements for the introduction of short-time work and the granting of short-time allowance.

 

To the brochure "Short-time work and short-time allowance"

When short-time work is no longer enough - what needs to be considered in the event of “dismissal for operational reasons”?

The economic downturn is having a huge impact on the economy. Many companies are under immediate pressure to act. Depending on the severity of the corporate crisis, various options for action are conceivable. The most drastic measure, staff reduction, is associated with various legal hurdles. The focus RECHT brochure"Dismissal for operational reasons" summarizes the most important points to consider and can serve as a checklist when staff reductions through dismissals for operational reasons are on the agenda.

Veranstaltungs-Highlight

Veranstaltungs-Highlight
Social media for modern advertising for young talent

Social media for modern advertising for young talent

  • ProduktionNRW
  • Experience Exchange (open to participate)
  • Digital format

Use social media for targeted recruitment - find out how you can reach young talent authentically and present yourself as an attractive employer.

VdmaSambaDynamicEvents

Events

Thu. 12.06.25 Thu. 12.06.25

  • Apprenticeship Placements

As part of this new series of excursions, we are working with seven VDMA member companies to offer female students on technical degree courses the opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the real world.

As part of this new series of excursions, we are working with seven VDMA member companies to offer female students on technical degree courses the opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the real world.

Tue. 24.06.25 Tue. 24.06.25

  • Apprenticeship Placements
  • Engineering Education

As part of this new series of excursions, we are working with seven VDMA member companies to offer female students on technical degree courses the opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the real world.

As part of this new series of excursions, we are working with seven VDMA member companies to offer female students on technical degree courses the opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the real world.

Mon. 30.06.25 Mon. 30.06.25

exclusive

  • North

Securing skilled workers needs new approaches: How unused potential in the transition system can be tapped - insights, ideas, discussion

Places available

Thu. 03.07.25 Thu. 03.07.25

  • ProduktionNRW

Use social media for targeted recruitment - find out how you can reach young talent authentically and present yourself as an attractive employer.

Places available

Tue. 22.07.25 Tue. 22.07.25

exclusive

  • Artificial Intelligence

How to get started with artificial intelligence - in a structured and safe way. Our virtual event offers practical inspiration for the use of AI in mechanical and plant engineering.

Places available

Tue. 19.08.25 Tue. 19.08.25

exclusive

  • Central

Please make a note of the date today. As soon as the agenda has been finalized and the invitation has been sent out, you can register for the event. If you would like to receive the agenda directly by e-mail and thus be informed via the registration function, please ask Ms. Struck to add you to the invitation mailing list.

Please make a note of the date today. As soon as the agenda has been finalized and the invitation has been sent out, you can register for the event. If you would like to receive the agenda directly by e-mail and thus be informed via the registration function, please ask Ms. Struck to add you to the invitation mailing list.

leer

The digital event series “Connect2Discover@VDMA” invites you to get to know your association better. It offers you regular insights into our wide range of services and shows you how you can make the best use of your association for your tasks.
MBI Events
The continuing education program of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering offers you formats that turn your employees into experts and qualify the specialists and managers of tomorrow. Find out more about our wide range of personnel management courses and find suitable events.

SambaCommittee

Groups & Working Groups

conditionally open group

Education & Modern Working Committee

VDMA Education Committee

The VDMA Education Committee is the authoritative body for networking and exchange among VDMA member companies on education topics, as well as for monitoring and steering VDMA activities in this area

Head of Department Educational Policy/Managing Director regional subsidiary

Friedrich, Jörg Dr.

Level 2 Minimal Contact Display

Events

Here is an overview of all events. These range from practical training courses, to working group meetings, up to national and international trade fairs.

Topic areas

Topic filter

Topic areas

More filters

More filters

Reset all filters

Topics

Formats

Departments

Locations

Event kinds

Languages

Period

Reset period