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Education & Modern Work
New work concepts, digitalized workplaces, changing expectations of employees: 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 and educational institutions prepare for the change in order to take advantage of the transformation?

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Aus unseren Inhalten

Aus unseren Inhalten
Our offer for industry-relevant competence development

Our learning offers promote the individual technical professionalization as well as the development of new competences - with a view to the current and future requirements in the companies.

Still too few female 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.

Mechanical and plant engineering: engineers sought like never before

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.

Changes in old-age provision, health and care

On 1 January 2023, and over the course of the next year, changes will come into force in the areas of old-age security, health and long-term care.

Include temporary work in skilled labor immigration!

Nearly 90 percent of engineering companies are looking for skilled workers. Reform is therefore needed to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers. Temporary staffing can play an important role in this.

Trust-based working time must be preserved!

With his proposals on recording working time, Federal Labor Minister Heil is shooting far beyond the requirements of the European Court of Justice The Union's move is therefore the right one: trust-based working time must be preserved in any case.

First-Hand Insights - "Skilled workers for Africa": Interview with partner PTS

In an interview with VDMA project coordinator Natascha Hannah, PTS Managing Director Joachim Kühnrich provides insights into the joint work.

Coach2Change - Transformation coaching for employees

"Coach2Change" offers individual, workplace-based transformation coaching for employees in small and medium-sized enterprises. It is funded by the state of NRW and the EU.

THINK BIG! at bauma 2025

Inspire young people for technology with us! In 2022, the VDMA will continue to offer bauma exhibitors the best platform for motivating today's young people for the technical apprenticeships of tomorrow.

Facts and figures on the bureaucracy monster

VDMA is campaigning for less bureaucracy in work assignments in Europe. An overview of the facts and figures shows that there is still a long way to go before the Internal Market runs smoothly.

"EU Bubble talks - 30 minutes insights from Brussels": Web seminar series launched

Attention Europe enthusiasts! With our new web seminar series "EU Bubble talks - 30 minutes insights from Brussels" we take a look behind the scenes of European politics and take you with us.

Online update on the Whistleblower Protection Act

VDMA Legal Department will provide information in an online update on 30.05.23 from 10 - 11 a.m. about the latest agreed changes with which the Whistleblower Protection Act will come into force.

Whistleblower Protection Act may enter into force

Bundesrat approves compromise on Whistleblower Protection Act of the Mediation Committee.

VDMA Construction Site Day: Construction Site Personnel as a Success Factor

The 14th VDMA Construction Site Day 2023 will take place on 25 and 26 May in Frankfurt. With a high-profile programme, the event will provide an excellent networking opportunity.

Evidential value of a certificate of incapacity for work

The probative value of certificates of incapacity for work is often disputed in practice. The individual case regularly decides.

Training skilled workers in Africa creates win-win situation

Skilled workers for industry are a key issue in Germany and worldwide. In Africa, the VDMA has been involved in vocational education & training since 2016, together with local players. In the sense of local value creation and qualified skilled workers for international operations.

Default of acceptance after notice of termination without notice has been given

Employers can be in default of acceptance in the event of contradictory behavior after issuing a termination without notice.

Correct skilled labor immigration law!

The planned Skilled Workers Immigration Act is too bureaucratic to attract a sufficient number of skilled workers from third countries to the country. This is because it ignores the question of how skilled workers willing to immigrate can be brought together with domestic SMEs.

European due diligence proposal overwhelms businesses

The proposal for the European supply chain law overtaxes medium-sized companies in particular, which have strong international networks. The law must be limited to what companies can really control: their own business, subsidiaries and direct suppliers.

Decree on the implementation of the Working Hours Act in NRW

The Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MAGS NRW) has announced a decree on the implementation of the Working Hours Act dated 19 April 2023.

Minister Heil overshoots the mark with the digital time clock

The proposals on electronic recording of working time unduly restrict employee self-determination. This is an affront to employers and employees alike, who have been using this tool for decades.

Laws requiring posting: New edition available

GDA's publishing house has published the new edition of the print version of the laws that are required to be posted:

Recording of working hours: draft law presented

The German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) submitted a draft bill on the legal regulation of working time recording for departmental approval on 18 April 2023.

ECJ on national regulations for employee data protection

The ECJ (Rt. v. 30.03.2023, C-34/21) has ruled that national regulations on the processing of employee data must remain inapplicable if they do not comply with Art. 88 DSGVO or Art. 6 para. 3 DSGVO.

Training market in transition - challenges and opportunities for companies

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.

Mechanical engineering of the future with quantum sensors

Series Quantum Leaps in Mechanical Engineering on June 20, 2023 at DLR in Ulm, Germany.

Labor market survey: severe shortages of skilled workers

A survey of VDMA members revealed that almost all companies are currently observing bottlenecks on the labor market for skilled workers. The survey was conducted in March 2023 with the participation of almost 600 people.

Knowledge management as a key factor to success

As demographics change, attracting and retaining skilled workers is becoming a challenge that will determine the future viability of entire industries.

Limit to state wage setting would finally be crossed

The renewed increase in the minimum wage planned by Minister Heil would be a serious encroachment on collective bargaining autonomy. The function of the minimum wage commission would thus be undermined for the second time.

Part-time education: off the table for the time being

On March 29, 2023, the German Cabinet approved a draft law to strengthen the promotion of education and training ("Weiterbildungsgesetz").

Women for technical professions in mechanical and plant engineering

Technical professions are still strongly male-dominated. In view of the shortage of skilled workers, many companies are asking themselves how more women can be recruited and retained for technical professions.

Sick leave by telephone ends on 31.03.2023

During the Corona pandemic, the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G-BA) had included a temporary special regulation on sick notes by telephone in its incapacity for work guideline.

VDMA flash survey on material bottlenecks, energy supply and outlook 2023

The majority of companies are cautiously optimistic about the current year. Supply chains are relaxing, but the supply of electronic components remains challenging. And the persistent shortage of skilled workers is also an obstacle for many companies.

Apprenticeship at a glance

How many apprenticeship positions are available in machinery and equipment manufacturing this year? How many applicants are there currently and how many positions have already been filled? How have supply and demand for the most important professions developed in recent years? Get all the information at a glance here.

Immigration of skilled workers reformed only half-heartedly

Anchoring a points system in immigration law should make it easier for labor and skilled workers to immigrate. Temporary employment agencies should continue to play no role in placement - this is a missed opportunity. The draft law must be improved here.

New garnishment exemption limits as of July 01, 2023

On March 20, 2023, the garnishment exemption limits 2023 according to § 850c ZPO were published in the Federal Law Gazette.

Literature: Düsseldorf publication series "Working Time

We would like to draw your attention to the new publication "Arbeitszeit" from the Düsseldorfer Schriftenreihe.

Right to information of the supervisory authority according to the ArbZG

What justifies a request for information by the occupational health and safety authority?

Working time or rest time? That is the question here!

Do breaks with standby duty count as working time or as rest time?

BAG on equal pay

Freedom of contract is no justification for unequal pay for men and women.

Digitalization as an opportunity for innovative climate management

DiKliMa sees digitization as an opportunity for innovative climate management and as an important aspect of employee recruitment and retention. The project partners are the Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Calculation scheme for non-wage labor costs 2023

The calculation schema for non-wage labor costs is a model calculation for determining the imputed surcharge for direct and indirect wage-dependent costs. Here you will find the current version, as of March of the current year.

Radiance through future technologies

For the biologization of technology, we as an industry need to break ground now to set the course for a waste-free future.

VDMA Ost supports declaration of skilled workers by Berlin business community

The shortage of skilled workers in Berlin is not only hampering the economy, but also endangering critical infrastructure. Now chambers and associations have published a joint declaration.

Strengthen technical education and vocational schools

The causes of the shortage of skilled workers are also to be found in the education system. There is a particular need for action in the technical skills of young people. To make dual training fit for the future, the state urgently needs to invest in vocational schools.

The challenge of securing skilled labor

Advancing digitalization, the development of climate-friendly technologies and the mobility revolution - the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry is facing enormous challenges. Securing the availability of skilled workers is becoming a mammoth task.

IT students from Ghana for the mechanical and plant engineering industry

Together with a university network in Ghana, students with IT expertise are to be approached to work remotely for mechanical engineering companies.

Immigration of skilled workers: draft legislation presented

On 20 February 2023, BMAS and BMI presented drafts of a law on the further development of skilled labor immigration and an ordinance on the further development of skilled labor immigration.

Women engineers in mechanical and plant engineering

Too few women choose this career path as an engineer because technical job descriptions are often unclear. Prevailing role models and clichés need to be cleared up.

Minister Heil discredits short-time work

Short-time work is an important instrument, but all special rules on short-time work have long been superfluous. By still sticking to making it easier for companies to access short-time work, Federal Labor Minister Heil is bringing the entire instrument into disrepute.

Our expert and focus topics

Our expert and focus topics
Youth recruitment & school
In order to attract those leaving school to work in the mechanical engineering sector, traditional measures no longer suffice in many places. In the future, those who want to combat the shortage of specialist staff will resort to a clever combination of cooperative school programs along with traditional offline and online measures. On this page you will find useful information, ideas, studies and downloads on this topic. You can also find out here how you as a member can benefit from VDMA offers.
Engineering education for the mechanical engineering sector
For many employees, working in a home office is a completely new situation that has caught them very unprepared due to the pandemic. This raises a host of practical and legal issues.
Made ING Germany
Digitization is the buzzword of today. Innovation has been a hot topic for a long time, and Industrie 4.0 is accepted as a standard. In order to breathe life into these concepts, clever minds and adequate training concepts are needed.
Securing skilled workers
Almost 60 percent of employees in the mechanical and plant engineering sector are skilled workers. Alongside engineers, they shape the role of mechanical and plant engineering as a decisive enabler for green technologies.
Skilled Workers for Africa
Africa is a continent of opportunities. In order to take advantage of them, qualified local specialists are particularly in demand. They are the engine for the development and diversification of the economy.
Organization and Culture
Both organisation and culture are what make up the company "inside". Both have far-reaching effects on the outside, on customers and their needs and on other external partners. Thus, both are a question of successful cooperation inside and outside.
Culture of innovation
Increasing the ability to innovate in times of digitalization and "VUCA" has been in the spotlight of companies in our industry for several years. Especially following a crisis, it is crucial to be ready and prepared with the right business models as well as suitable systems and structures, and to break away from old habits. The culture of innovation is an important basis and prerequisite for all efforts. If you want hard successes, you should start soft.
Home Office
For many employees, working in a home office is a completely new situation that has caught them very unprepared due to the pandemic. This raises a host of practical and legal issues.
Personnel Marketing & Recruitment
The shortage of skilled workers has arrived in the present. The labour market has turned and companies are receiving a decreasing number of applications. Demography, digitalisation, democratisation and decentralisation pose major challenges for the economy. Personnel recruitment must now take new paths.
Labor law
Whether it be short-time work, service contracts, working shifts or home office, the parameters for modern work and flexible crisis measures are changing continuously.
Labor Market
Competitiveness, growth and job security require adaptability, value creation based on the division of labour and a flexible labour market. Digitalisation requires modern framework conditions for Work 4.0.
Technological Sovereignty
Technological sovereignty as a goal is gaining importance regarding the changed geopolitical situation. International division of labor and global trade are our drivers of prosperity and are existential, especially for the mechanical engineering sector.

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Auf den Punkt Zitat Education & Modern Work

"Despite many economic uncertainties, for example in connection with energy prices, the demand for engineers is immense. As the largest industrial employer, mechanical and plant engineering is and will remain a secure future industry for the next generation of engineers and it needs the know-how of these talents."

Hartmut Rauen, Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zahl Education & Modern Work

97

percent

of machinery and plant manufacturers are affected by the shortage of skilled workers

Source: VDMA flash survey

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Bildung & modernes Arbeiten

Summary
Legal right to mobile working is superfluous
  • No statutory right to mobile working
  • No additional co-determination of the works council in the introduction and organisation of mobile work
  • Methodical approaches lead to success: "5 x Why", Golden Circle by Simon Sinek and the 4P methodThe VDMA demands: No legal entitlement to a change of place of work

Unsere Leistungen

Unsere Leistungen
Working Group HR
The central working HR group takes up current topics in HR work and makes them transferable for the practice of our members.

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VDMA salary study
How much do development engineers and IT specialists earn in a medium-sized company? The VDMA salary study clarifies the situation and provides indications for company-specific salary benchmarking.
Fit for the future - advanced training courses at the Institute for Mechanical Engineering
Being the VDMA's training academy, we support you in developing new competencies. Contact us - we will gladly advise you!
Personal consultation on all aspects of labor law
The VDMA Legal Department provides its members with a continually updated overview of the decisions and legal developments relevant to businesses and HR managers.
Guide to action for recruiting young talent
Companies today need to recruit young apprentices at an early stage. The new VDMA "Handlungsleitfaden Nachwuchswerbung" (Guide to action for recruiting young talent) demonstrates how this is possible.
Studies & Surveys
The VDMA regularly publishes studies and surveys on engineering studies and derives suitable positions and statements from them.
Talent machine - the young talent portal for the mechanical engineering industry
Portal with news, info, internship job exchange and Best Practices for educational and personnel managers
Our services for members, universities & the media
VDMA maintains a diverse range of services and advice for its member companies, but also for universities and media representatives in the field of science policy and engineering studies. Here is an overview of our services for these three groups.

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Facts and figures: Education and workforce in mechanical engineering
In our theme publications, you will find facts, figures and data related to vocational training, engineering courses, skilled workers, mechanical engineers and women in mechanical engineering.
Fit for the future - advanced training courses at the Institute for Mechanical Engineering
Being the VDMA's training academy, we support you in developing new competencies. Contact us - we will gladly advise you!

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Benefits for you as a member

Largest industry network in Europe

3,600 primarily medium-sized member companies in the capital goods industry make the VDMA the largest industrial association in Europe and the most important network organization in the industry.

Strong representation of interests

The VDMA is the most important voice of the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry. It represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the industry in Germany and around the world.

A wide range of services

More than 500 VDMA employees worldwide support you with practical services to make the right decisions in your company - along the entire value chain.