I checked out EGGER for career exploration days back in high school. After that, I did four days there in technical school and, finally, another four days of job shadowing.
After checking out a few places, I finally picked EGGER, not least because the work atmosphere seemed pretty cool. Plus, Unterradlberg is only a 15-minute ride from my place, and the train connections are great—perfect for getting to work! I applied and was accepted.
A lot of people from my village work at EGGER, including my uncle. I'd heard good things about the Unterradlberg site and never a bad word.
With each apprenticeship year, you manage more tasks on your own
I am training to become an electrical technician for plant operation, automation, and process control technology. It’s a four-year apprenticeship. I’d already picked the electrical engineering track in technical school, so I was pretty well-prepared. After a couple of weeks in the training workshop, you move to the actual workshop, where you watch and learn from journeymen. I'm now in the second year of my apprenticeship, and I get the first tasks to handle on my own. Over the next years, I'll move on to installations, repairs, and maintenance throughout the plant.
The apprenticeship comes with a lot of courses and training. We learn about occupational safety, sustainability, and the processes at EGGER. That's really interesting. We have English once a week. It's increasingly important to be able to communicate in English. And as long as I go to English classes, I can switch to the apprenticeship track that prepares me for a university entrance certificate.
In addition to on-the-job training at the plant, we have ten weeks of vocational school each year for theory and technical knowledge.
Making sure everything works as it should
We take care of anything with a current across the site. We’re gradually introduced to all the systems in the production line and the site in detail, so we can maintain and repair them on our own later.
Safety is a big topic
You learn to have a mental checklist for every situation. We look out for each other. When someone misses something, you nudge them. People are of all ages, and you can talk to each and every one of them.
EGGER issues work and protective clothing: pants, T-shirts, sweaters, vests, jackets. Let’s say I tear my pants. I just get new ones. That's cool. Everyone has their own helmet. You get your gloves and goggles from the storeroom. There are appointment slots coming up where you can have hearing protection custom-made to fit your ears. If you're an apprentice, you can get them for free.
"Staying with EGGER after my apprenticeship is important to me"
Thanks to the specialization in automation and process control technology, my prospects as an electrical technician and plant and system electrician are solid. Once I'm done with my apprenticeship, I can see myself switching to shift work. Shifts pay well, and I could realize a few dreams. At some point, I'd like to start working on my certification as a master craftsman here.
About Oliver
Oliver Schober joined EGGER in Unterradlberg in 2022 and is now in the second year of his apprenticeship. Living at home, he shares a car with his brother. In his free time, Oliver enjoys sports and plays soccer on a local team.
Get the ball rolling
We are looking for more than just employees: We are looking for people who can enrich our international team with their individual talents. Regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, or in which culture you feel at home, we look forward to increasing the diversity in our companies!
