Plasser & Theurer opens new apprentice training centre
On 22 September, the new apprentice training centre officially started operations.
www.plassertheurer.com
On an area of approximately 1,100 m² it offers space for up to 100 apprentices. The company invested about one million Euro in this project.
“Especially in times of skills shortage we believe that if we need skilled employees, it is up to the company to train them and invest in the qualification of its young talent”, emphasized CEO Johannes Max-Theurer at the opening ceremony at the Linz site, which was also attended by the Austrian State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn and the Mayor of Linz Dietmar Prammer. “Apprentice training has always been of particular importance in our company. With the new apprentice training centre we elevate it to a new level.”
And indeed, the new training centre “pulls out all the stops”: the apprentices are provided with modern infrastructure comprising of milling and turning machines, welding stations, training workstations with drilling machines, grinders, and other small machines as well as lab benches for mechatronic and electronic engineering apprentices. Furthermore, it has training rooms and CNC programming stations as well as office space for apprentice trainers and staff.
Eight different apprenticeships
Plasser & Theurer is currently training 71 apprentices (eight of which are female) in eight different apprenticeship trades and with a guaranteed job:
• Electronics - applied electronics
• Electrical engineering - energy technology
• Mechatronics - automation technology
• Metal technology - mechanical engineering
• Metal technology - steel construction and welding technology
• Metal technology - machining
• Design - mechanical engineering
• Procurement
At the beginning of September, the company took on 22 new apprentices. Applications for apprenticeships starting in September 2026 will be possible from October this year on https://karriere.plassertheurer.com/lehre In future, Plasser & Theurer aims to train 25 new apprentices per year.
“We offer young people the opportunity to actively participate in shaping sustainable mobility and thus our future and support young talent with various professional development options. We offer more than just an apprenticeship position - we offer a perspective”, a promise made by Mr Max-Theurer to tomorrow’s employees.
Another major investment creates new jobs
The training centre is not the company’s only major investment. Since September last year, the building works for the 60 million Euro new assembly workshop in the Linz industrial area have been running at full speed. The workshop is due to be completed in July 2026 and go into full operation in early 2027. It will be used, amongst others, for the final assembly of E³ track construction and maintenance machines with hybrid drive technology to reduce CO2 emissions, and for their commissioning by specialist staff on three tracks. This will create a total of 180 jobs, 80 of which will be new jobs. The company is also looking to recruit skilled employees for this, such as mechanical engineers and electrical/electronic engineers.
Committed to the location ...
“Despite the difficult economic situation in Austria, which is currently affecting many companies, including us, we are investing in our future right now and creating new jobs”, says Mr Max-Theurer.
... despite a difficult landscape
However, the landscape for the industrial location must be improved quickly. “There's a lot to do here. Austria as a business location has come under pressure: comparatively high energy costs, high non-wage labour costs, a shortage of skilled workers, and a huge amount of bureaucracy. Especially for us as a highly export-focused company, competition in the global market has become increasingly tougher recently. We feel it enormously, and this is where sensible policy with good judgement is required”, emphasizes Mr Max-Theurer.
“As an entrepreneur on leave, it is instilled in me that the best possible training is provided to young people living in Austria. Regional economic policy also means to identify oneself with the world of work of the 21st century. We have to find different, new parameters to highlight the attractiveness of apprenticeships again. I will champion that. And therefore, I am pleased to be able to take part in the opening of the new apprentice training centre”, says Undersecretary of State Sepp Schellhorn.
"Plasser & Theurer's investment in its new apprentice training centre is a strong signal for Linz as a business and training location. Here, at an internationally successful company, young people are given the opportunity to complete a high-quality apprenticeship in future-oriented professions.
Such initiatives strengthen the innovative power of our city, while at the same time creating long-term perspectives for young people and securing skilled employees for the future”, added Mayor Dietmar Prammer.
www.plassertheurer.com
