Austria’s fourth largest energy and utility provider trained more than 1,200 young apprentices over the past few years. For more than 60 years, Energie Steiermark has been committed to innovative and practical ways of training the green energy experts of the future, for example with its brand-new E-campus. .

One of these “green energy professionals” in training is Lorenz Sommersguter-Maierhofer from the district of Hartberg-Fürstenfeld, who is currently undergoing an apprenticeship in electrical and building system technologies at Energie Steiermark. Having been fascinated by his lessons on electrotechnology at school, he decided to embark on an apprenticeship in this field – and does not regret his choice of career at all. “It was definitely the right decision for me”, says Lorenz. “Here, I can learn everything from scratch.” So, what does a typical working day in the life of this young man from Styria look like?

A typical “Apprentice Day” at Energie Steiermark

The alarm wakes him up just after 5 a.m., as work starts at 6:20 a.m. for the apprentices at Energie Steiermark. “At the moment I’m staying at the Kolpinghaus hostel during the week, together with lots of other young people. The advantage is that I can walk to work”, says Lorenz. It’s an early start in the classroom – quite similar to what he was used to during his time at regular school. After all, theory is part of any training programme. “We’re currently learning about protective measures, everything from residual current devices to details about the electricity grid.”

After this, the prospective energy professionals get ready for the practical training units. The curves on the so-called “oscillator” may not look very exciting to regular observers, but Energie Steiermark’s electrotechnology apprentices can derive important information from them and learn something as a result. However, having fun and enjoying what they do is also important for the apprentices – and this is very clear from their great team spirit. “I get along really well with everybody”, says Lorenz. “We support each other. If you have any concerns, there’s always someone to talk to in our apprentice team and you never feel alone.” Boredom is unknown here. There’s always something to do and the units alternate between theoretical and practical. “I enjoy learning both theory and practice. I’m particularly looking forward to the first fieldwork placement with my colleagues.”

Then, all the apprentices gather for lunch – a fixed part of their daily routine at Energie Steiermark. And what’s so special about it? The apprentices do all the shopping and cooking themselves – today’s menu, for example, is a colourful mixed salad with turkey strips. Their day ends with a physical education lesson, where Energie Steiermark apprentices from all skills and trades meet up. At 3 p.m. it’s time to say goodbye, until tomorrow.