Motivating new talent for industry growth

Speaking with our teams and to students at several outreach events this year, it became crystal clear that many of us ‘fall’ into AV almost accidentally – it is not an industry we had earmarked for our careers when we set out. Bringing new talent into our industry, though, is essential for long term growth, innovation, and resilience. 

At PPDS we believe that internships – in various areas of our business – and student outreach initiatives play a critical role in achieving this. Essentially creating direct pathways for young people to engage with real world professional environments. These opportunities allow students and young people to move beyond theoretical knowledge and gain practical experience, helping them better understand the expectations, challenges, and rewards of a particular field.

Reaching out to new talent

Student outreach initiatives at events – such as (in our case) ISE or BETT – and at careers fairs at schools and universities, is equally important. These events open doors for students who may not otherwise have access to professional networks. By interacting with industry professionals, students can ask questions, gain insights, and build confidence in pursuing careers they may not have previously considered. Outreach efforts around the globe also help our business and our industry become more inclusive, too, engaging a diverse range of participants from different backgrounds.

We were particularly excited, in 2025, to be a founding supporter of the ISE Hackathon. Sponsoring the sustainability track, our team – made up of marketing, sales, and product management professionals – was able to shape the make up of this inaugural event. And we were able to continue to support the winning students into their futures, inviting them to our HQ office for two days to learn more about the fields they had expressed interest in, and to give them insights into our own career paths.

Inspiring through internships

Internships, in particular, serve as a bridge between education and employment. They provide hands on learning, mentorship, and exposure to real working life, enabling students to develop both technical and soft skills. At the same time, we find we benefit by identifying and nurturing potential future employees who are already familiar with our culture and workflows. 

In 2025 we enjoyed supporting interns across different life stages and in teams across our business, including our marketing intern in the Netherlands, in his final year studying as a Bachelor of International Business, and a student intern working with our technical support team over the summer as a part of his pathway into engineering.

Investing into the future

Investing in new talent ensures that our business and our industry can remain dynamic and adaptable. Fresh perspectives often lead to new ideas, creative problem solving, and even the adoption of emerging technologies. Without a steady influx of young professionals, industries risk stagnation and skills shortages.

2025 has been a year of investing in reaching out to inspire new talent. And we aim to continue.