As the 2019 VDE Tec Report shows, electronics companies view the shortage of skilled employees as the biggest obstacle to economic growth. Around 60 percent of the more than 1,300 VDE member companies surveyed stated that the lack of skilled personnel has a negative impact on economic development.

To optimize communication between employers and young professionals, this year, productronica will focus for the first time on the theme "Accelerating talent".

First Hackathon Challenge at productronica.
Between the first and third days of the trade fair, students and young professionals in the fields of electrical engineering, automation, mechanical engineering, and economics will tackle tasks assigned by exhibitors at productronica. Participants have 48 hours to complete the challenge and present a solution. Winning teams will each receive a four-figure cash prize. The first Hackathon Challenge at productronica is supported by VDMA Productronic and the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM.

Accelerated talent in Hall B2:
Productronica has more offerings for students, graduates, and young professionals in Hall B2. The Talent Acceleration area includes three main building blocks: Talent Gateway, Career Center, and Education Path.

At Talent Gateway, visitors complete a course that highlights their special skills. Course modules include Escape Truck, Agile Barista Training, QR Code Rally, and Tech Slams on the Talent Stage.

The Career Center provides information on job profiles in electronics manufacturing. In addition to job postings on the job board, a Career Café is available for one-on-one meetings between companies and potential future employees.

At The Education Pathway, school dropouts, students, and pupils can learn about the various options for starting a career in this field. Industry experts share their insider knowledge during one-on-one meetings.

productronica Fast Forward celebrates its debut.
In addition to young professionals, the focus in electronic production is also on startups. Within the scope of productronica Fast Forward, startups showcase their products and solutions in a separate exhibition area and at a forum in Hall B2. The companies with the most viable solutions for the future will receive the productronica Fast Forward award on the last day of the trade fair.