Promoting young talent in the packaging industry: shaping the future with future skills

HUMAN MEETS MACHINE: Promoting young talent as the key to the future

New jobs require new skills, while the shortage of skilled workers is intensifying competition. Innovative strategies for recruiting and retention are needed. Young talents are looking for meaning, development and modern working environments.

Further training and intuitive human-machine interfaces make teams fit for the future. Key competence: mastering technology.

The packaging industry is at a crossroads: global challenges, rapid technological developments and profound changes in the world of work call for new approaches. At the heart of this transformation is the promotion of young talent in the packaging industry – not only as a response to the shortage of skilled workers, but also as a strategic lever for innovation, competitiveness and sustainable development.

Why promoting young talent is more important than ever today

The demands on the industry are constantly increasing: sustainability, digitalisation and globalised supply chains require new skills, especially with regard to future skills. Companies are specifically looking for talented individuals who are able to master these challenges – and are increasingly encountering a depleted labour market.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of the packaging industry, are particularly affected by the difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified employees in the long term. Promoting young talent is therefore not a ‘nice-to-have’ but a strategic ‘must-have’.

Exhibitors on the hot topic of future skills

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INTERPACK
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News from the Future Skills section

Future skills in the packaging industry: what is needed now

The future of the packaging industry depends on the right future skills. These include digital competencies, technical understanding, agile thinking, communication skills and interdisciplinary work. Particularly important are:

Working with intelligent technologies such as AI and robotics
Knowledge of sustainable packaging solutions
Process understanding for integrated manufacturing and packaging technologies
A spirit of innovation and willingness to embrace change

These skills must be nurtured at an early stage – ideally in schools and training programmes, through targeted cooperation with universities, technical colleges and vocational training centres.

Innovative ways of promoting young talent

More and more companies are breaking new ground in order to attract and train young talent. These include:

Dual study programmes with a strong practical focus
Interactive learning formats with VR/AR technology
Cross-industry training programmes
Collaboration with start-ups to promote entrepreneurial thinking

The aim is to inspire young people with the diversity and innovative strength of the packaging industry – and to show them the prospects for a meaningful career in a future-oriented environment.

Young Talents at interpack 2026

Recruiting: New approaches for new generations

Promoting young talent in the packaging industry begins with targeted recruitment. Generation Z expects more than just a secure job – they are looking for meaning, flexibility and opportunities for development. Companies need to adapt their communication and employer strategies:

Presence on digital platforms such as TikTok and Instagram
Authentic employer branding
Involvement of young employees as brand ambassadors
Fast, uncomplicated application processes

Working with recruitment consultancies that specialise in young talent for industry can also be an effective building block.

Role of trade fairs and networks

Events such as interpack 2026 play a central role in bringing together young talent and employers. Formats such as the SPOTLIGHT Talks, the Start-up Zone and initiatives such as ‘Women in Packaging’ specifically address topics relevant to young talent.

These events offer young talents access to an international network of industry, science and educational institutions – an ideal platform for orientation, further training and networking.

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The future begins now

The packaging industry is undergoing a period of momentous change – and this change calls for new approaches to promoting young talent. Only those who invest in the right people, skills and competencies today will be able to compete in tomorrow's market with the best ideas, products and packaging solutions.

interpack 2026 offers an excellent stage for this: as a driver of innovation, a platform for dialogue and a career incubator. This is where technologies, markets and people come together – to jointly shape the packaging of the future.

Practical example: interpack as a talent factory

Interpack will focus on forward-looking topics such as smart manufacturing, circular materials and future skills. This will not only provide impetus for technological innovations, but also concrete opportunities for young professionals:

Matching platforms between companies and young talent
Workshops on digital skills and sustainability
Live demonstrations of new packaging technologies
Mentoring programmes with experienced managers

This makes the trade fair not only an industry gathering, but also a career springboard.

Education partnerships as a model for success

Sustainable promotion of young talent can only succeed in close cooperation with the educational landscape. Partnerships with universities, vocational schools and further education providers enable practical teaching programmes, joint research projects and qualification measures tailored to specific target groups.

Initiatives that focus on future-oriented skills (e.g. digitalisation, circular economy, automation) and combine theoretical knowledge with practical application are particularly successful.

Identifying challenges, designing solutions

Despite many positive developments, promoting young talent in the packaging industry remains a challenge. These include:

Low visibility of the industry among school leavers
Lack of knowledge about career paths in the packaging industry
Competition from ‘hip’ tech companies
Differing expectations between employers and talented individuals

This requires a joint effort by companies, associations, educational institutions and politicians. Only in this way can the skills, abilities and motivation that will make the industry fit for the future be built up in the long term.

Transformation needs people

The digital and sustainable transformation of the packaging industry is not just a question of machines or technologies – it is primarily a human task. It is talented individuals who, with their creativity, energy and expertise, are setting the course for tomorrow.

That is why promoting young talent must be seen not only as an economic necessity, but also as a strategic investment in the future skills of the industry.

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