electronica promotes next generation of specialists

In keeping with the motto 'Talent meets Industry', electronica will bring potential employees together with companies to promote industry development. electronica Fast Forward gives start-ups from around the world an opportunity to introduce themselves. The last day of the fair revolves around high-school and college students, and college students can also compete for the Cosima Award.

With 36,745 trainees in 2015 alone, electrician is the second most popular apprenticeship programme in the skilled trades. Nearly 69,300 students entered degree programs in electronics or electrical engineering in the 2016 fall semester. The industry is hungry for new talent, and demographic change and increasing digitalisation is driving demand for electronics specialists even higher. electronica gives companies and young talent a chance to get to know one another. Student day takes place at the electronica Forum in Hall A3 on 11^th November 2016. Participants have an opportunity to participate in panel discussions. A networking lunch allows the more than 300 expected aspiring engineers to make valuable contacts for their careers after they graduate.

Young inventors to be honoured
For the eighth time, the Cosima Award is being presented as part of this year's student day. The competition for college students in the field of microsystem technology honors applications that improve or simplify interaction between man and technology in various aspects of life. The award is presented by the association for electrical, electronic and information technologies (VDE) and enjoys the support of the Federal Ministry for education and research. This year's submissions include a robot that can trim eyebrows with a thread, a microchip-controlled refrigerator that monitors the shelf-life of foods and reminds the user via smartphone, and an energy self-sufficient trip-data tracking system with theft warning and tracking for bicycles.

Recruiting young talent for the industry at high school student day
High school student day on 11^th November 2016 will focus on getting even younger students excited about electronics. electronica is partnering with the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) to put together an exciting program to arouse interest in education and training in the electronics industry. ZVEI will introduce various career paths and give young people an opportunity to exchange information with apprentices and college students. Some 150 students from high school throughout Bavaria are expected. Representatives of the electronics industry will present the career opportunities in their companies.

New contacts for young founders
electronica Fast Forward gives start-ups and clever minds from around the world an opportunity to pitch innovative idea and find supporters. Founders and developers can compete in the categories Idea, Prototype and Start-up—and win a place at the joint exhibition stand. The initiative also has its own forum program that allows them and visitors to profit from the experience of other founders and receive valuable tips from business angels and investors. All new companies also have a chance to win the electronica Fast Forward Award. This year's submissions include the smallest and most affordable thermal imaging camera on the international market, a device that can weed and clean floors at the same time, and an intelligent baseboard for retirement homes that can tell if someone is in the room and evaluate whether that person might fall. It then notifies the nursing staff in the event of an emergency. electronica Fast Forward is sponsored by STMicroelectronics, Conrad, Würth Elektronik and Trinamic Motion Control.

Thanks to the job area, the electronics careers portal organised by electronica and semica, talented young people also have a chance to fine tune their future careers. They can go online to take a look at job vacancies and establish contact with potential employers whom that can then meet at the fair.