Gunskirchen, Austria, Mai 18, 2022 – Teaching must become more attractive in order to be able to consistently counteract the worsening shortage of skilled workers. But what can be done if the high value of apprenticeship for the economy and society is not anchored in the consciousness of a broad public? And what challenges does this pose for Austrian apprenticeship training?

These questions were addressed by experts at a conference of the Association of Apprenticeship Managers of Upper Austria in mid-May. BRP-Rotax invited about 30 representatives of the largest Upper Austrian training companies, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor to Gunskirchen for an exchange of experts.

Skilled workers are an essential cornerstone for the future of Upper Austria's economic development in order to remain competitive. Increasing digitalization is creating new content and competence requirements that must be recognized and taught in teaching at an early stage in order to appropriately qualify employees for the working world of tomorrow.

"It's about putting apprenticeships in perspective. We have to clear up outdated clichés and support young people in choosing the right apprenticeship," says Werner Lehner, head of the BRP-Rotax apprenticeship workshop, summing up the unanimous opinion of the conference participants. Closer cooperation between training companies and schools is also called for in this context. In order to improve the image of apprenticeships, more educational work is needed among students, teachers and parents.

In the exchange of experiences with the conference participants, BRP-Rotax and its subsidiary RIC are attracting attention with the Find your Talent program: Information events are offered as a supplement to conventional career guidance from the 5th grade onwards. The focus is on "first-hand" information and the dissolution of traditional role models. In direct talks with BRP-Rotax apprentices, any preconceptions about apprenticeships are dispelled and the students receive information about the opportunities offered by a technical apprenticeship.

In addition, the TECVan, a modern apprenticeship workshop including a collaborative robot, 3D printer and laser, is offered directly at the school - in the mobile technology laboratory, workshops can be integrated flexibly and easily into the everyday teaching routine.

The 2022 Training Managers' Conference at BRP-Rotax once again provided an important platform for cross-industry exchange to promote dialog between companies and to join forces for securing skilled workers and young talent.