Starting Signal for Apprentices 04.10.2024 - Across Austria, 21 new apprentices started their training at the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying - BEV in summer 2024. This means that 80 apprentices are currently completing an apprenticeship at BEV in four apprenticeship professions. The proportion of women is an impressive 43 percent.

September not only means the start of school, but also the start of training for a new generation of apprentices at the BEV: two apprentices each are starting in the administrative assistance and geoinformation technology apprenticeships, while 17 apprentices are starting in surveying technology. The average age of the new apprentices, who are made up of 12 women and nine men, is 19.

The BEV has a long tradition of apprenticeship training and has been successfully training skilled workers throughout Austria for many years. Around 80% of training takes place in the different Surveying Offices in order to strengthen regional value creation. Only 20% of the apprentices are trained in Vienna.

In view of the imminent retirement of many long-serving employees, apprenticeship training is crucial for BEV's succession planning. Apprentices benefit from the experience of experienced colleagues and contribute to the transfer of knowledge.

Success Story: From Apprentice to Head of Office
The Head of the Surveying Office Vienna started as an apprentice at the Surveying Office Ried im Innkreis in 1988 and has now been working continuously at the BEV for a total of 36 years. During this long period, the 50-year-old has been able to contribute his expertise to many different departments and exciting projects until he finally became Head of the Surveying Office Vienna in 2022.

For prospective apprentices who are interested in training at a Surveying Office, he believes it is important to have a technical understanding as well as to be communicative, curious, able to work in a team and willing to learn. You don't have to understand everything straight away, but you have to be willing to do so.
The former apprentice also has a piece of advice for all new apprentices: “You can achieve a lot if you invest a lot. If you show that you are particularly good at something, are curious and get involved, then you are more likely to be taken on projects where you can develop further. And every project brings knowledge that you benefit from for years to come.”

Attractive Benefits for Apprentices
As an attractive employer, BEV offers numerous benefits: In addition to participation in the free “Apprenticeship with Matura” support program and flexible working hours, a high degree of collegiality and social aspects such as team building and joint activities are emphasized. Apprentices who have already passed the Berufsreifeprüfung can generally shorten their apprenticeship by one year.

With these offers, BEV supports the entry into the professional world and secures its skilled workforce in the long term.