Calling all engineers, mechanics, sales talents

Recycling equipment sales may be skyrocketing, as became clear during this week’s IFAT trade show in Munich. But at the same time, machinery and technology suppliers are confronted with a serious and growing problem: how to get qualified people?

‘We need specialists and we need them now,’ lamented Ferdinand Doppstadt, managing director of German recycling machinery producer Doppstadt. ‘At the moment, finding the right people is one of the biggest challenges for our industry,’ he told Recycling International.

At IFAT, Doppstadt occupied several booths one of which was dedicated to recruitment. ‘Engineers, mechanics, good sales people, I would rather see them start today than tomorrow’, said Doppstadt.

Clearly, Doppstadt is not the only company chasing down talented and educated young people to join in.  ‘We are always in need of specialists, be it engineers mechanics’, confirmed Peter Funke, ceo of magnetic and sensor sorting solutions provider Steinert.

Inhouse training

The Cologne, Germany headquartered firm established an inhouse education programme under the name Steinert University where students are trained. ‘It is one way to get qualified people in. However, it is not enough’, stressed Funke. ‘Now that business is booming again, the need for extra workforce has become more urgent,’ he argued.