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Finding and keeping the best minds
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?
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Attracting and recruiting young talent
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!
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".
Knowledge management and skills development
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
General conditions: Good to know
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.
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
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).
"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?
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"
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.
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.
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.
Events
Securing skilled workers needs new approaches: How unused potential in the transition system can be tapped - insights, ideas, discussion
Use social media for targeted recruitment - find out how you can reach young talent authentically and present yourself as an attractive employer.
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.
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.
13. + November 14, 2025 | Because of the authentic approach, many companies rely on their own trainees to reach students when recruiting young talent. The VDMA offers the right digital training for your technical trainees.
11. + December 12, 2025 | Because of the authentic approach, many companies rely on their own trainees to reach students when recruiting young talent. The VDMA offers the right digital training for your technical trainees.
Your contact
Here is an overview of all events. These range from practical training courses, to working group meetings, up to national and international trade fairs.