Apprentice training: New green jobs at VERBUND

With the traditional first day of training, Michael Amerer, Managing Director of VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH, and Robert Nußbaummüller, Head of the Training Workshop, welcomed 24 new apprentices. Over four years of training, they will complete apprenticeships in electrical engineering and metals technology in Ybbs. 

“Our dual vocational training is one of proven effectiveness. Thanks to our many years of experience with modern teaching aids, we have even been able to continue training operations during the pandemic. However, at its heart remains the intensive practical focus: our apprentices learn from their colleagues on site in the power plant from the 2nd year of training, according to Michael Amerer, Managing Director of VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH, who spoke at the ceremonial presentation of the apprenticeship contracts. “The future belongs to Green Jobs – and VERBUND is one of the biggest employees in this area. Our mission in the energy transition will require enormous physical exertion. We will meet this challenge only with motivated and superbly trained personnel,” said Karl Heinz Gruber, Managing Director of VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH.

A total of 46 apprentices, including 4 woman, are starting their training at the VERBUND locations of Ybbs-Persenbeug (LA), Kaprun (Salzburg) and Töging am Inn (Bavaria) this year.

Expansion project at the Ybbs-Persenbeug site

The dual vocational training at the Ybbs-Persenbeug site will be made even more attractive by the new building. VERBUND is investing more than €6m in a modern and energy-efficient facility for 40 apprentices and training rooms in a new building on the Danube. Construction is scheduled to start in the autumn of 2022.

Two professions, one apprenticeship

Starting out at VERBUND as an apprentice creates development opportunities for later on in professional life. The double apprenticeship forms a solid basis: over 4 years, the future skilled workers are trained as electrical engineers and metal technicians. The apprentices are trained in the apprentice workshops in Kaprun, Ybbs and Töging in Bavaria. Maximum value is placed on theoretical knowledge being put to immediate use – ideally in one of VERBUND’s 129 power plants. Other apprentices and experienced supervisors create a positive environment, which also includes joint leisure activities. The graduation rate of the training workshop is 100% and demonstrates the outstanding vocational training provided at VERBUND.