VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) - VDI-Talentpool

What the VDI-Talentpool gives you

You get access to an online career platform where engineering companies find you and offer soft-skills trainings, factory tours, workshops, excursions, career events and trainee programmes. The value is in the contacts, first-hand experience and real insight into working life. It is run by the VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure), the German engineers' association, which connects students and young professionals with partner companies. There is no monthly grant or cash payment.

You build a personal profile once. Companies can then filter for talents and send you a contact request. Your name and contact details stay hidden until you accept, so a company only reaches you if you agree.

Who can join

• Membership: You must be a VDI member.
• Field of study: You study an engineering subject.
• Study phase: You are a current student or in your first years of working (young professional).
• Nationality: Any nationality can join. The platform is aimed at Germany's engineering network.

How to join

Log in to "Mein VDI", go to the Career Center and create your profile. Once it is set up, companies can see you and send contact requests. There is no deadline; you can register at any time.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a competitive scholarship but an open platform. Any VDI member studying engineering can join, so there is no selection to pass. Whether it pays off depends on how complete your profile is and how many partner companies are active. If you are an engineering student looking for company contacts and events, joining costs you only the VDI membership.