ÖBB career day

“Becoming a train driver is my childhood dream”

Engine driver Hermann Struber explains the levers in the driver's cab to potential future colleagues Lukas Kaiser and David Christof.(Bild: Felix Roittner)

At the ÖBB careers day in the Remise, interested parties were able to get an idea of professions related to the railroads. The company is facing a large wave of retirements over the next five years.

It's definitely an interesting job that fascinates me," says Lukas Kaiser at the ÖBB careers day in Salzburg. In the driver's cab of a railcar, the 17-year-old has the instruments explained to him and his eyes light up. For the apprentice, a childhood dream would come true if he were to make it to the controls professionally. But he will have to wait a little longer. To be able to start the apprenticeship, he must be at least 19 years old and have completed his training.

Visitors to the ÖBB Careers Day were also able to practice on the simulator in the Bahn-Remise.(Bild: Felix Roittner)

Visitors to the ÖBB Career Day were also able to practice on the simulator in the Bahn-Remise.(Bild: Felix Roittner)

Visitors to the ÖBB Career Day were also able to practise on the simulator in the Bahn-Remise.(Bild: Felix Roittner)

28-year-old bricklayer David Christof meets these criteria: "I've actually already decided that I'm going to submit an application." He is attracted to moving such large machines. He sees the sole responsibility for the trains as a challenge.

A total of 20 future train drivers will join ÖBB in Salzburg this year. A new course starts roughly every month. The training lasts one year.

ÖBB is facing a wave of retirements over the next five years. Around 20 percent of the workforce will retire by then.