Image: ÖBB/Scheiblecker
Every two weeks, the Federal Railways start a course to train drivers. It takes 52 weeks for the new train drivers to travel the rails independently and take responsibility for passengers and goods. There are around 400 graduates every year, and ÖBB wants to recruit 2,000 new employees by 2028.
“Every day, engine drivers bring hundreds of thousands of people to their destination with their 10,000 hp – in a climate-friendly, sustainable and safe manner,” says ÖBB boss Andreas Matthä. In 2022, a record number of 41.6 million passengers was reached in long-distance transport. In addition to investments in infrastructure and rolling stock, staff are needed to ensure future operations.
Because the forthcoming wave of retirements will affect many train drivers. Nevertheless, the federal railways want to increase the number of staff in this area. Around 4,400 train drivers are currently employed. If everything goes according to plan, there should be around 4,900 in 2028 – an increase of twelve percent.
Theory training in Linz
Anyone wishing to apply must be at least 19 years old and have completed vocational training. Lateral entrants are also accepted. The theoretical part of the paid training usually takes place either in Linz or Vienna, the practical part at the home base.
Driving practice is acquired in simulators and later in real railway traffic. In any case, you should be willing to get up early: In the early shift, the working day as a train driver can start as early as four-thirty in the morning.
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