Once again, Fakuma Makes a Strong Statement on Career Opportunities in the Plastics Industry – Career Friday at Fakuma 2026

Frickenhausen, 21 April 2026 – in the wake of a successful debut, Fakuma is once again sending a strong signal in support of young talent: within the context of the 30^th Fakuma, trade fair promoters P. E. Schall, in collaboration with the trade fair advisory board and PlasticsEurope Germany, will once again be hosting Career Friday on 16 October 2026 in keeping with the maxim “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future”. Pupils, students and young professionals are invited to experience the broad range of opportunities offered by the plastics industry first-hand.

With Career Friday, Fakuma has created a platform that specifically targets young talent and provides them with practical insights into one of Europe’s most innovative industries. International exhibitors will hold exclusive events at their trade fair booths, offering insights into modern manufacturing technologies and outlining effective strategies for entering the industry.

“We don’t just want to acquaint young people with various job profiles – we want to open up real career horizons,” explains Bettina Schall, managing director of Schall Trade Fairs. “Career Friday brings talented individuals and companies together face-to-face in an authentic, pragmatic manner, on an equal footing.” “This allows visitors to discover just how exciting and progressive the plastics industry really is.”

Dr. Christoph Schumacher, head of Global Marketing at ARBURG GmbH + Co KG and Fakuma trade fair advisory board member, adds: “Event formats like Career Friday clearly demonstrate the importance of our industry – as well as our society – for the industrial future. “Anyone looking for meaningful work and technological excellence will find a truly creative environment in machinery and systems engineering.”

Young visitors will benefit from direct interaction with professionals, apprentices and students employed by the exhibiting companies. This personal encounter provides realistic insights into routine daily work, development opportunities and career paths.

One of the key features of Career Friday involves guided tours at the trade fair. The tours are once again being organised in collaboration with PlasticsEurope Germany and rank among the highlights of the exhibition programme.

Participants will be accompanied in organised groups to registered exhibitors in a targeted manner. Company representatives will present specific career opportunities, current projects and technological innovations at their booths. At the same time, space is created for personal discussion and focused networking.

“The plastics industry is in the midst of a profound shift towards greater sustainability and circular economy,” emphasises Bettina Dempewolf, head of Communications at PlasticsEurope Germany. “In particular for this reason, we need committed young professionals who will actively help shape this transformation. Career Friday is an excellent opportunity for inspiring young people to take on this task and providing them with insights into the great diversity of our industry sector.”

“The industry offers tremendous opportunities for young talent – from high-tech applications to sustainable innovations,” adds trade fair advisory board member Susanne Zinckgraf, head of Strategic Marketing at the WITTMANN Group. “Initiatives like Career Friday are essential for raising general awareness of these opportunities and fostering a direct dialogue between companies and young people.”

The plastics industry is regarded as a key sector for numerous future-oriented challenges – from resource-efficient production and lightweight design to innovative recycling solutions. Companies are investing continuously in new technologies and sustainable approaches, opening up attractive and varied career opportunities.

Feedback from the industry has been consistently positive. Leading companies are getting involved with their own initiatives, presentations and opportunities for discussion – a clear indication of the high priority placed on developing young talent.

Well in advance, the event is generating great interest within the education sector. Schools, universities and educational institutions are already planning targeted visits, in order to offer their pupils and students practical guidance.

Close collaboration amongst the event organisers, industry representatives and trade associations underscores the relevance of the event and ensures a varied programme that delivers lasting value for all involved.

Career Friday is targeted specifically at pupils, students, teachers and career starters. Admission is free and offers a unique opportunity to experience the world of plastics processing first-hand.

Fakuma is sending a clear message with its “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future” campaign: the future of the plastics industry lies in the hands of committed young professionals – and they need to be inspired, informed and integrated into the network at an early stage.

And thus the 30^th Fakuma cordially invites all interested parties to take part in this special trade fair experience on the 16^th of October, 2026, and to be inspired to shape their own career prospects.

Fakuma is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for plastics processing. On the occasion of its 30^th edition, the trade fair will celebrate a significant anniversary and impressively underscore its key role as the industry’s leading European platform from Monday the 12^th through Friday the 16^th of October, 2026. With its mission of representing the entire plastics industry, Fakuma brings together innovation leaders, technology providers and users from all sectors of industrial plastics processing. At its venue in Friedrichshafen, it offers a unique hub for showcasing innovations, sharing know-how and networking with industry experts.

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Schall has developed successful business platforms with internationally recognised trade fairs for quality assurance (Control), optical technologies, components and systems (Optatec), stamping technology (Stanztec), automation in production and assembly (Motek), bonding technology (Bondexpo), plastics processing (Fakuma), sheet metal working (Blechexpo) and joining technology (Schweisstec). This has given rise to completely new markets in various sectors, whose protagonists are characterised by a high level of innovative strength, comprehensive system competence and practical application solutions.