How and where will I spend my training period?

Training for the modular apprenticeship in electronics / IT and telecommunications or IT - Engineering

During your training, you will spend around 10 weeks per year of your apprenticeship at the vocational college in Vienna – either for block tuition over several days or for individual days during the week.

During the first 18 months, we take you through the technical world of information technology and telecommunications in the Kapsch apprentice workshop. You are provided with the theoretical and practical toolkit to equip you for the next two years of training, which you spend in the various departments. During your training, you also have the opportunity to take further courses to supplement your development – e.g. English or Social Skills. Before completing your apprenticeship, you undergo intensive preparation for your final exams in the apprentice workshop.

Training as an industrial clerk
Your training lasts 3 years, and is mainly provided as on-the-job training and at the vocational college. You visit the college for around 10 weeks per year of your apprenticeship, on a day release basis. At the start of your apprenticeship, you spend 2 weeks in the Kapsch apprentice workshop to familiarise yourself with EDP and Microsoft Office. You will move between departments several times during your training; this is to allow you to gain wide-ranging experience, and also to enable you to discover the activities and areas of work that you enjoy most.

A contact person is on hand in the apprentice workshop throughout to support you as needed, helping you with everything from your first day through to your final apprenticeship exam. 

Which college will I go to, what does my timetable look like, and what subjects do I take?

You can find information about the college, timetable and curriculum at www.bic.at, www.bsift.at, www.bsit.at  

How is my working time organised, and what time do I have off?

Your weekly working time is 38.5 hours + a few minutes of induction time. You have 25 working days annually as holiday, to be agreed with your supervisor. “Fenstertage” (“bridging days" falling between a public holiday and a weekend) are free, as you have worked the time for this entitlement. You can also relax and enjoy the contemplative Christmas period, because you will again work the time for this entitlement. You are not allowed to work more than 9 hours per day. 

Where do I live during my training in Vienna?

All apprentices from the Federal provinces are accommodated in the same student hall during the
theory training in Vienna. 

What are my prospects of career progression with Kapsch?

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, there are many career paths open to you at a national and international level. Contribute your skills, and continue in your career development – there are wide-ranging areas of work and possibilities available to you. Everything is possible – for example the Managing Director of Kapsch Components, Martin Fichtner, started as an apprentice at Kapsch. 

What will I earn as an apprentice?

As at 1.5.2011, taking an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk or the apprenticeship in electronics / IT and telecommunications or IT – Engineering you will earn:
€    517.38 per month (14 payments per year) in Year 1 of the apprenticeship
€    687.57 per month (14 payments per year) in Year 2 of the apprenticeship
€    929.25 per month (14 payments per year) in Year 3 of the apprenticeship
€ 1,257.16 per month (7 payments per year) in Year 4 of the apprenticeship 

Do I get anything on top for good performance?

At Kapsch, good performance is always rewarded.

Bonus payments for apprentices:

Your assessment at Kapsch is carried out every 6 months. In Year 1 of your apprenticeship, depending on the outcome of the assessment, you get up to 20 hours of free time, and in the following half-year periods, again depending on the outcome of the assessment, you get a bonus of up to € 300.00.

Naturally, your performance at vocational college is also rewarded. The basis for this is your annual report. For outstanding success, you receive a bonus of € 200.00, and for good performance € 70.00. If your annual report grades are straight “1s” (top grades) in Year 2 or 3 of your apprenticeship and you receive a certificate for this from the City's Board of Education (Stadtschulrat), Kapsch will give you a bonus of € 400.00.

If you achieve outstanding success in your final apprenticeship exam, this is rewarded with a € 400.00 bonus.

If you take part in a professional competition and achieve one of the top three places, then Kapsch will reward you with a bonus of € 100.00 (first), € 70.00 (second) or € 50.00 (third). 

Is there any assistance with the costs of public transport?

As an apprentice, you are given an apprentice free travel card by the transport operators. 

Can I take the Berufsmatura (combined apprenticeship and Matura, an ‘A’ level equivalent qualification) or undertake a work placement abroad during my apprenticeship?

Yes – Kapsch will actively support you if you want to go down the apprenticeship plus Matura route.

Subject to certain conditions (Year 2 of the apprenticeship or later, minimum age 16, good performance, good knowledge of English), you can undertake an apprentice placement abroad as part of an international exchange of specialists. 

Are there company benefits at Kapsch too?

In addition to the pay you receive as an apprentice and possible bonus payments for performance, you also receive a meals allowance from Kapsch. In addition to this, you do of course receive company benefits such as discounted tickets for events, favourable terms for shopping, and much more.