STRABAG investing in the future: Groundbreaking for new training centre

• STRABAG investing around € 10 million
• 250 apprentices a year to be trained in Ybbs an der Donau
• Ceremony attended by Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and STRABAG SE Supervisory Board Chairman Alfred Gusenbauer

Vienna/Ybbs an der Donau, 4 September 2020---STRABAG, Austria’s largest construction group, yesterday celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its new training centre in Ybbs an der Donau, the first milestone on the way to building Austria’s most modern apprenticeship training facility. The company is investing a total of around € 10 million in the new location, which will have the capacity to train some 250 apprentices a year.

After completion of the building permission application, the groundbreaking marks the start of construction as planned. The ceremony, which was kept to a small scale in view of the COVID-19 precautionary measures, was attended by representatives of the state government of Lower Austria, led by Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Deputy Governor Franz Schnabl, along with Ybbs mayor Alois Schroll and STRABAG SE Supervisory Board Chairman Alfred Gusenbauer, who came to get a first-hand look at the plans for the 31,000 m² site.

“It is important to us as an Austrian company that we invest in the training of our employees and take our social responsibility seriously, even in difficult times like the current coronavirus crisis. We are not only creating jobs in and around the apprentice academy but also want to give young people an understanding of the diversity of professions within the construction industry and offer them a future career at STRABAG,” explained Thomas Birtel, CEO of STRABAG SE, at the event.

The mayor of Ybbs, Alois Schroll, is also excited about the new academy: “We are very pleased that STRABAG has chosen our city as the location for its training centre. It is important to us to further develop educational institutions as a fixed component of our infrastructure and to offer young people and apprentices attractive conditions for their stay and leisure activities.”

Training brought together in one place
The training of the Austrian STRABAG apprentices has so far been divided between two locations due to lack of space, but the location in Ybbs will offer enough room for everyone. In addition to two workshop halls, STRABAG is also building its own apprentice quarters for up to 60 apprentices as well as a building for classrooms, offices, events and catering. To keep boredom at bay after work, the plans also include a sports field and a fitness room.

The Ybbs location boasts significant infrastructural advantages, among other things. Due to its close proximity to the railway station on the important Westbahn rail corridor, the training centre will be easy to reach for apprentices from all over Austria. Ybbs is also home to many clubs and associations that are being considered as partners to offer the apprentices attractive activities away from the workshop premises in their free time.

3D Visualization STRABAG Training Center Austria
Audio Interview Dr. Thomas Birtel
Audio Interview Gerd Egger