The meeting addressed the growing talent shortage in the photonics industry and highlighted practical strategies to attract professionals from adjacent sectors. With thousands of vacancies and increasing competition, speakers emphasized the need to shift from traditional hiring profiles toward skills-based recruitment and structured onboarding.
Frank Wolfs presented methods for recruiting candidates from industries such as automotive, telecom, ICT, and medical technology. He stressed identifying transferable competencies — including system-level thinking, problem-solving, and learning agility — and adapting job descriptions to focus on potential rather than prior photonics experience. Structured onboarding, buddy systems, and continuous feedback were identified as critical for successful integration.
Nataly Epps shared a case study from Ocean Optics, demonstrating how chemistry professionals can successfully transition into applications engineering roles. By targeting chemistry networks, emphasizing mission and culture in job descriptions, and implementing standardized assessment and mentorship programs, the company accelerated employee ramp-up while supporting business growth. Applications engineers were highlighted as key contributors to customer adoption and innovation.
Gwenaëlle Lefeuvre introduced an inclusive approach to photonics training through the Photonics Bretagne innovation hub. The framework distinguishes education, upskilling, and reskilling, focusing on identifying true competencies and delivering a three-step training pathway: foundational job knowledge, practical work experience, and in-depth technical training. This model supports faster capability development while balancing quality and time-to-productivity.
Elisenda Lara and Neringa Noreikiene introduced the Photonics Talent Pool, a dedicated platform connecting skilled professionals with EPIC member companies across the photonics ecosystem. Candidates create anonymized profiles highlighting their expertise, experience level, and career interests, allowing recruiters to discover talent based on skills and competencies. The tool supports a skills-first matching approach, enables secure interaction within the platform, and helps companies broaden their reach beyond traditional recruitment channels. If you represent an EPIC member company, create your profile now and start connecting with talent: https://jobs-in-photonics.com/
