On Thursday the starting shot for the EuroSkills, the European championships for professions, was given in Graz. There, the top specialists will compete for the coveted medals until Saturday. 54 Austrians are there – a tour of the large area at Schwarzlsee.
The young men sit spellbound in their chairs, go through the task and their work plan one last time. A countdown runs on the screen in front of them: ten seconds to go – then it’s “all or nothing”. Suddenly a fanfare sounds. The candidates jump up at lightning speed, run to the seats assigned to them and get to work there immediately. The fight for the medal in the “Refrigeration and Air Conditioning” discipline is officially open!
In a total of 48 different competitions, the specialists and graduates from higher vocational schools under the age of 26 up to and including Saturday match each other on an area totaling 70,000 square meters in the Schwarzl Leisure Center.
400 participants from 22 countries
Austria is represented among the 400 participants from 22 countries with a team of 54 young professionals. They compete against each other in individual or team competitions. So also the two Styrians Laura Tschiltsch and Christina Strauss. The “fashion technology” competition is in full swing for them: while one of the two is recording the pattern, the other is ironing on the rest of the fabric – nothing works without teamwork. Your job is to make a coat from the Disney film “Cruella”.
27 “Try a Skill” stations
In addition to the international job competition, the EuroSkills also serve as job orientation. The 25,000 registered visitors can lend a hand at the 27 “Try a Skill” stations and try out various professions such as hairdresser, painter, carpenter or cook for themselves. They also have the opportunity to get first-hand information about the various apprenticeships from representatives of well-known companies – such as Voestalpine or BMW.
The European professional championships have existed since 2008. Since the beginning, 111 medals, including 45 gold ones, have gone to Austria. So that one or the other podium place goes to our youngsters again this year, the “Krone” keeps its fingers crossed. Those who cannot be there themselves have the opportunity to follow the action via Instagram at @steirerkrone.
“Krone” interview
Josef Herk sees EuroSkills as an opportunity to draw attention to the apprenticeship training and the importance of qualified specialists.
“Crown”: What is the significance of EuroSkills 2021 for you?
Josef Herk: It is a unique opportunity to experience the best “young professionals” from Europe live and to cheer them on – with a lot of emotion and passion. We are very happy that the corona-related third attempt finally works.
There is currently a massive shortage of skilled workers in Austria. How much does the economy feel?
It creates a certain braking situation for the economy. The EuroSkills are therefore a good opportunity to draw attention to the importance of qualified specialists in a playful way and to get young people enthusiastic about it.
Do you see the European Championships as a good opportunity to upgrade skilled workers?
Yes, that is exactly our goal. The event shows that you can have the best professional career with an apprenticeship. Public appreciation is an essential component in permanently increasing the importance of vocational training.
In your opinion, how can an apprenticeship be made more attractive again?
Dual training is attractive. Internationally, she is considered a real role model. What we need are new target groups and good framework conditions – especially with regard to the apprenticeship and adult model, but also high school graduates.
- Nearly 4000 vacant apprenticeship positions speak for themselves: companies across Austria lack skilled workers. Apprentices are in demand like never before. In Styria, companies cite the shortage of skilled workers with over 80 percent as the greatest challenge for the next few years. Only then do supply chain problems and labor costs come. Offers for older people, career changers and those switching to studies are intended to counteract this. 2020 were already 12 percent of those starting apprenticeships are older than 18 years, the trend is increasing.
- Currently are around 92,000 apprentices employed in the local training companies. Additional 7000 are completing inter-company training. Compared to the same month last year, this is a minus of 0.5 percent, compared to 2019 a slight increase. The branches with the highest number of apprentices are trade and craft, trade and industry.