Apprenticeship at Infineon: Jogging pants as a career turbo

Villach – January 25, 2022 – The apprentices at Infineon in Villach work on high-tech solutions, and they do so in jogging suits. This is, so to speak, the professional clothing of the current 85 young apprentices. Now 20 new apprentices are being sought.

At the Infineon site in Villach, there is no whispering when employees wear sweatpants. This clothing is not only accepted, it is even a "must-have outfit". The jogging suit has a special material and serves as a practical undergarment for the cleanroom clothing that has to be worn in the ultra-modern chip production. This makes the sweatpants a fashion accessory worn by apprentices, on the production floor, in developer offices or on the executive floor.

On the fast track - from apprentice to trainer

In Villach, 20 apprentices are currently being sought for the double apprenticeship "Electrical & Metal Engineering" with the option of "Apprenticeship with Matura" as well as the new model "Apprenticeship and Studies", which is aimed specifically at high school graduates. The apprenticeship lasts four years. Of the 85 apprentices currently at the Villach site, around a quarter are young women.

Jennifer Oberegger (24) was herself an apprentice at Infineon and is now active as a trainer: "Through the apprenticeship, I learned two professions at once - electrical engineering and mechatronics. In the process, I was fully supported, both professionally and personally. There are supplementary training courses such as English and also the opportunity to take part in apprentice and professional competitions. As a trainer, I now provide advice and support to the young technical talents. I can pass on my experience and knowledge and never stop learning myself. Besides work, I study information technology at the University of Klagenfurt."  

High-tech with social added value

Thomas Reisinger, Member of the Management Board for Operations at Infineon Technologies Austria AG: "With our innovative apprenticeship programs, we are not only investing in the future of our location, we are also offering young people in the region in-depth high-tech knowledge, a wide range of career opportunities and a task with social added value. They are actively shaping the digital and 'green' future with cutting-edge technologies."

As an innovation factory within the global Infineon network, Villach manufactures microchips that reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency in many applications: In e-cars, trains, data centers, LED lighting, medical devices or even solar and wind power systems. Infineon products are used all over the world, contributing to environmental, energy and sustainability issues.

Digital & skilled trades go together 

Robotics, automation and Industry 4.0 require top-trained skilled workers. At Infineon, apprentices also support microchip production so that these can be produced perfectly. They build, program and maintain equipment and control digital processes. In the company's own workshop, they are personally supervised by experienced trainers, produce customized components and can develop their manual skills in welding, soldering, turning and milling. Applicants should bring enthusiasm for technology, motivation, curiosity and the will to achieve.

The first year and a half of training takes place in cooperation with the Technical Academy in St. Andrä in Lavanttal. After that, the apprentices work at the Villach site. There are ten weeks of vocational school per apprenticeship year in blocked units. Janek Vostry (19) is in his third year of apprenticeship and has opted for the apprenticeship with Matura: "During my apprenticeship, I learn everything I need to know in modern industrial production. I can get to know different areas and see, for example, what maintenance workers do every day. Good technical specialists are more in demand than ever." 

Fit for the future all around

The online application process for the new apprentices for 2022 is already underway. As a "state-awarded training company", Infineon offers its young talents not only modern technical training and good pay, but also flexible working time models with teleworking, training and further education, a canteen, social benefits and health programs as well as international career prospects.

Infineon has been active in apprenticeship training for more than 45 years and has so far trained more than 600 apprentices to become specialists. The apprenticeship as a start into professional life makes the technical experts of tomorrow fit for the future.

Facts and figures about the apprenticeship at Infineon:

• Dual apprenticeship in electrical engineering & metal technology as well as apprenticeship with Matura (university entrance qualification)
  Applications until March 31, Job-ID 58943
• Apprenticeship and studies (apprenticeship in process/electrical engineering and parallel study of systems engineering at the FH Kärnten)
  Applications until June 30, 2022, Job-ID 64413
• Duration of apprenticeship: four years
• Start of the new apprenticeship year: September 2022
• Applications: infineon.com/jobsaustria
• Information about the apprenticeship (only in german): infineon.com/lehre

Infineon Technologies Austria AG is a group subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, a world-leading provider of semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon reduce the energy consumption of consumer electronics, domestic appliances and industrial facilities. They make a major contribution to the convenience, security and sustainability of vehicles, and enable secure transactions in the Internet of Things.

Infineon Austria pools competencies for research and development, production as well as global business responsibility. The head office is in Villach, with further branches in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Vienna. With 4,820 employees from 73 countries (including 2,100 in research and development), in the financial year 2021 (ending in September) the company achieved a turnover of € 3.9 billion. With a research expenditure of 516 million euros, Infineon Austria is one of the strongest research companies in Austria.