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ÖBB Accelerates Its Future with Ambitious Plan to Train 2000 New Train Drivers

ÖBB Accelerates Its Future with Ambitious Plan to Train 2000 New Train Drivers
photo: Parzer/ÖBB/ÖBB Accelerates Its Future with Ambitious Plan to Train 2000 New Train Drivers
19 / 07 / 2023

ÖBB is investing in the future with a strong focus on employee growth, especially in the role of train drivers. The company currently employs almost 4,400 train drivers and has initiated a training offensive to increase this number significantly. Over the next five years, 2,000 train drivers will undergo training, with more than 400 individuals embarking on this responsible career path annually. By 2028, factoring in both new recruits and retirements, the total number of locomotive drivers in ÖBB Production is expected to rise to around 4,900 - a 12 percent increase.

ÖBB's CEO, Andreas Matthä, appreciates the significance of this role, stating, "The dream job of a pilot was yesterday. Today, train drivers, with their 10,000 horsepower, bring hundreds of thousands of people to their destination every day - in a climate-friendly, sustainable, and safe manner. That is the performance for the future and something to be justifiably proud of." The passenger boom at ÖBB, which saw 41.6 million passengers in long-distance transport in 2022, surpassing the record year of 2019, calls for investments not only in infrastructure and rolling stock but also in personnel.

High-level training is a core element of ÖBB's strategy to cater to the high need for recruits, particularly in the area of train drivers. The company's paid training includes theoretical units, training on driving simulators, and later, supervised real-life driving operations. After 52 intensive weeks and passing the examination, the newly trained drivers are permitted to take their place in the driver's cab, taking responsibility for both passengers and goods. The approach seeks to ensure a generation change in the profession while maintaining ÖBB's commitment to safety, sustainability, and service.

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