interpack 2026 To Host Dedicated Young Talents Day Focused On Future Workforce Development
interpack 2026 will dedicate 13 May to the industry’s next generation, introducing a structured programme aimed at trainees, students and young professionals seeking entry into the packaging sector. The initiative, branded as “Young Talents Day”, will provide free access to the event for eligible participants and focus on practical engagement with companies, technologies and career pathways.
The programme reflects the growing emphasis on workforce development within the packaging and processing industries, particularly as companies face increasing demands for digital competencies, interdisciplinary knowledge and sustainability expertise. Organisers position the initiative as a response to evolving skill requirements, aligning it with interpack’s broader “future skills” theme.
Industry Access And Career Orientation
Young Talents Day is designed as a central platform for early-career professionals to connect directly with employers and industry representatives. Participants will have access to information on degree programmes, apprenticeships, dual education models, internships and trainee schemes, offering a broad overview of entry routes into the sector.
The packaging industry’s scope—from engineering and production to food technology and management—is reflected in the structure of the programme. Organisers state that the format aims to demonstrate how career paths are evolving under the influence of digitalisation and sustainability, while highlighting the increasing importance of cross-disciplinary skill sets.
Guided Exposure Through Industry Tours
A central component of the programme is the Young Talents Tour, which introduces participants to the trade fair through guided visits led by early-career professionals already working in the sector. The tour will include stops at companies such as KOCH Pac-Systeme, FAWEMA, Loeschpack, Theegarten-Pactec and Gerhard Schubert.
The format is structured to provide direct exposure to production technologies, processes and job roles across the packaging value chain, while also facilitating informal dialogue between participants and industry professionals.
Apprenticeship Focus Through Career Tour
Complementing the broader orientation programme, the Career Tour is specifically targeted at school pupils interested in vocational training. The initiative connects participants with companies offering apprenticeships, allowing them to explore entry-level opportunities and engage directly with potential employers.
Organisers indicate that the format is intended to provide immediate, on-site insights into career prospects and hiring pathways within the industry.
Forum Sessions And Research Engagement
The Young Talents Day programme will also integrate content from the SPOTLIGHT Forum. On the morning of 13 May, the session “NextGen Plastics powered by IK” will address talent development within the plastics sector. In addition, a Science Slam format will feature young researchers presenting packaging-related projects in an accessible and interactive format.
These sessions aim to link academic research with industrial application, while providing visibility for emerging talent and innovation.
Technology And Sustainability Demonstrations
The VDMA Technology Lounge in Hall 4 will form another pillar of the programme, focusing on the intersection of sustainability and technology. Through the CirQmind project, participants will be introduced to circular economy concepts, including waste sorting, recycling processes and the production of new materials.
Interactive elements, including workshops and AI-based demonstrations, are intended to provide hands-on experience and illustrate the technological frameworks shaping the industry’s future.
Registration And Participation
Access to Young Talents Day requires prior registration as a “Young Talent”, with proof of student or school status. While general entry is free for this group, participation in guided formats such as the Young Talents Tour and Career Tour is subject to separate registration due to limited capacity.
By consolidating career guidance, industry exposure and technology demonstrations into a single-day format, interpack 2026 is positioning the initiative as a structured entry point for the next generation of professionals entering the packaging sector.