Infineon Austria on Education Day on January 24: Apprentices are the skilled workers of tomorrow
Villach, January 22, 2024 – Education has a key role to play: it contributes to achieving inclusive, equitable, and sustainable societies. To promote this, the United Nations General Assembly declared January 24 as International Education Day in 2018. Infineon Austria is focusing on many activities to generate enthusiasm for knowledge. Apprenticeship training plays a crucial role in this – for our skilled workers of tomorrow.
Christiana Zenkl, Head of Human Resources at Infineon Austria: "A good education is essential for individual, social, and professional development. True to the motto 'Knowledge, Learning, Growth,' we empower our apprentices to work on high-tech solutions that make an important contribution to environmental, energy, and sustainability issues. With its state-of-the-art equipment, our new apprentice campus has proven to be the perfect place for training and further education with real impact on the future. Learning is fun here!"
Apprenticeship models for tech talents
The apprenticeship models at Infineon have continuously evolved over the past 40 years, with more than 650 skilled workers having been trained since then: from the dual apprenticeship in electrical and metal technology to the option of taking a high school diploma, the coding apprenticeship, the "apprenticeship and study" model, and the new pilot project for the shortened electrical engineering apprenticeship. They all have one thing in common: they prepare young specialists for a promising career in the semiconductor industry. Currently, around 120 apprentices are at Infineon, a quarter of whom are young women. One of them is Marie Müller.
Marie Müller, 1st year of electrical and metal technology apprenticeship (15 years old): "I decided to do the dual apprenticeship because I have been interested in technology for a long time. To be honest, I was initially afraid of the comments I might get as a woman in a 'male-dominated profession.' In the meantime, however, I think it's great and can only recommend it to any woman who might feel the same way. Follow your dream. I particularly like the variety this job offers. You learn something different every day, and the combination of metal technology and electrical engineering is really cool."
State-of-the-Art "Campo" in close proximity to semiconductor production
The new Infineon Apprentice Campus, which went into operation in September 2024 at the Technology Park Villach in the "Campo" of the Gemeinnützige Personalservice GmbH (GPS), represents another important milestone for high-quality apprenticeship training. Together with the Technical Academy (TAK), a dual apprenticeship in electrical and metal technology for chip production is being offered. In addition to the ability to develop further in a dynamic and innovative high-tech environment, the proximity to the production site is crucial. This optimizes integration into the Infineon site.
Serbest Isberg, 2nd year of electrical and metal technology apprenticeship (34 years old): "The new campus has a perfect location and is a great relief for all Infineon apprentices, as we can go home after work. All the premises are very work-friendly and perfectly equipped to give us all the best possible preparation for our final exams. I am very happy that I decided to start my apprenticeship as a metal and electrical engineer at the age of 34, because it offers me a secure future. Knowledge has nothing to do with age, and you never stop learning!"
Knowledge. Learning. Growth.
In the weeks leading up to the apprentices' first transfer to the production site, they are given the necessary knowledge as part of the "Electrical Upscaling" program: they deal with transistors, capacitors, and other electronic components. Gradually, they develop circuits independently and can put their new skills to use in the "Solar Tree" project. A self-soldered circuit board ensures that the wiring lights up at night.
Meanwhile, the first-year apprentices are immersing themselves in the world of metal technology. They started with the "vice" project. Among other things, the apprentices learn how use files, measuring tools and drilling machines. They then move on to the big machines: using lathes and milling machines, they produce components according to plan. One of the first models they created is a mini anvil. Narek Avetisyan also worked on this project.
Narek Avetisyan, 1st year of electrical and metal technology apprenticeship (15 years old): "I became aware of Infineon through the Caritas Learning Café. I went there to study during my school days. I am really looking forward to the community and working with my colleagues. I would recommend the apprenticeship to anyone because the profession in technology has a future and offers a secure job."
Application phase for apprenticeships from September 2025 is underway
Those interested in an apprenticeship at Infineon Austria can find more information at the following link. The application phase for apprenticeships starting in September 2025 is open until March 31, 2025: Apprenticeship at Infineon
"Apprentice of the Year": vote until February 9
Thanks to their success this year in the competition of the Federation of Austrian Industries (Mathematics/English), Aaron Blažanović and Marco Schönfelder - Infineon apprentices in their fourth year - have qualified for the election as "Apprentice of the Year". Voting is open until February 9, 2025. Click here for the online voting: Apprentice of the Year
About Infineon Austria
Infineon Technologies Austria AG is a subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Semiconductors are essential for mastering the energy-related challenges of our time and helping to shape the digital transformation. Infineon's microelectronics drive decarbonization and digitalization and enable groundbreaking solutions for green and efficient energy, clean and safe mobility as well as a smart and secure IoT.
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, Innsbruck and Vienna. With 5,977 employees (including around 2,500 in research and development) from 78 nations, the company generated revenue of EUR 4.8 billion in the 2024 fiscal year (ending 30 September). With research expenditure of 686 million euros, Infineon Austria is the strongest research company in Austria.
Press Photos
-
Infineon Austria Head of Human Resources Christiana Zenkl ©Infineon AustriaChristiana Zenkl_Infineon Austria Personalleiterin
JPG | 4.18 mb | 6000 x 4000 px
-
Marie Müller, Infineon Austria 1st year of electrical and metal technology apprenticeship: "I decided to do the dual apprenticeship because I have been interested in technology for a long time. To be honest, I was initially afraid of the comments I might get as a woman in a 'male-dominated profession.' In the meantime, however, I think it's great and can only recommend it to any woman who might feel the same way. Follow your dream. I particularly like the variety this job offers. You learn something different every day, and the combination of metal technology and electrical engineering is really cool." ©Infineon AustriaInfineon Lehrling_Marie Müller
JPG | 1.68 mb | 5986 x 3991 px
-
Serbest Isberg, Infineon Austria 2nd year of electrical and metal technology apprenticeship: "The new campus has a perfect location and is a great relief for all Infineon apprentices, as we can go home after work. All the premises are very work-friendly and perfectly equipped to give us all the best possible preparation for our final exams. I am very happy that I decided to start my apprenticeship as a metal and electrical engineer at the age of 34, because it offers me a secure future. Knowledge has nothing to do with age, and you never stop learning!" ©Infineon AustriaInfineon Lehrling_Serbest Isberg
JPG | 1.58 mb | 5980 x 3987 px
-
Narek Avetisyan, Infineon Austria 1st year of electrical and metal technology apprenticeship: "I became aware of Infineon through the Caritas Learning Café. I went there to study during my school days. I am really looking forward to the community and working with my colleagues. I would recommend the apprenticeship to anyone because the profession in technology has a future and offers a secure job." ©Infineon AustriaInfineon Lehrling_Narek Avetisyan
JPG | 1.38 mb | 6000 x 4000 px
-
Infineon Austria apprentices in the dual apprenticeship electrical and metal technology, f.l.t.r.: Narek Avetisyan, Marie Müller and Serbest Isberg ©Infineon AustriaInfineon_Lehrlinge
JPG | 2.27 mb | 5946 x 3964 px
-
“Solar Tree” project as part of the ‘Electrical Upscaling’ program for 2nd year apprentices ©Infineon AustriaSolarbäume 2. Lehrjahr
JPEG | 668 kb | 2016 x 1512 px
-
Training and further education campus "Campo" at tpv Technologiepark Villach ©Infineon AustriaCampo-Wissen-Lernen-Wachsen
JPG | 1.66 mb | 4008 x 2596 px