Career
We are creating tomorrow’s “green jobs”
25. October 2023
We are creating tomorrow’s “green jobs”
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Sustainability
Volkmar Held
As a freelance writer, Volkmar Held reports for voestalpine on topics that move people. The content of his stories ranges from archaeometallurgy to future technologies.
voestalpine offers excellent perspectives for anyone looking for a sustainable job. We are creating new jobs in preparation for the transformation of steel production. In Linz alone, we shall be taking on an additional 200 employees to set up and operate the electric arc furnace (EAF). They will be part of the largest transformation in the history of the steel industry, and make an active contribution to climate protection.
voestalpine is making every effort to reduce its carbon emissions, particularly those generated during the energy-intensive process of producing pig iron and crude steel. For that reason, we are urgently transitioning to electric arc furnaces powered by green electricity. This is greentec steel, Austria’s largest climate protection program—and we are investing EUR 1.5 billion to achieve it.
It starts with employees
This investment will be used to construct new facilities and adapt existing technologies. However, our employees’ enthusiasm and dedication is an even more important factor in this transformation process, because decarbonizing our industry starts when it becomes a goal everyone shares. It also depends on their input. Markus B., Head of Digitalization and Automation, a key function, confirms the attraction of Austria’s largest climate protection program: “Our aims are a strong motivation for applicants,” says a delighted Markus B. “Anyone thinking about how to achieve them has already taken a first step in our direction.” The technological focus on electric arc furnaces (EAF) driven by green electricity opens up new perspectives for both current and future employees.
Markus B., Gudrun E., Wolfgang R.
New green jobs
The first step in our plan is to attract people excited about carbon-free steel production. Their motivation, enthusiasm, and interest in learning to work with automated processes will join the know-how built up by our experienced employees to create modern workflows.
"We invite everyone—whether technicians or engineers, unskilled workers or apprentices—to join us on the path to carbon-free steel production."
We are looking for an extra 200 employees to work at the new steel production facilities in Linz:
• 125 in production;
• 60 in mechanics; and
• 15 in electrics.
Between 2024 and 2026/27, the demand for employees will grow further as the new raw materials supply at the steel plant goes into operation. However, when the first blast furnace is subsequently decommissioned, there will be no loss of jobs. “Once you’re with us, you stay with us,” confirms Wolfgang R. “We never abandon colleagues who have traveled the path with us.” What is important, however, is continual learning, and the willingness to adapt as the project progresses.
Training and continued professional development for the environment
There is no lack of jobs at voestalpine. greentec steel draws on the desire to be part of an exciting development, as our HR managers confirm.
"The far-reaching transformation in our industry faces us with new challenges. A willingness to change and get qualified is the best preparation for this journey."
Whether experienced employees gaining qualifications, or new colleagues being inducted and trained, we support everyone on our path to green steel.
"We cooperate closely with operations when adapting training plans and module content for these future tasks. We have run a two-and-a-half-year enhanced qualification program for employees since 2022, as a pilot program for electrical engineering."
It has now become standard practice for applicants to ask about training and jobs, as well as sustainability. And naturally also in apprenticeship training. We have been quick to respond to changing demand, increasing the number of relevant apprenticeships (e.g., for electrical engineers) accordingly.
greentec steel with top quality
Naturally, we are already ensuring that we will be able to uphold our quality promise using future steelmaking production routes. In around 150 melts from blast furnace converter technology, metallurgists have produced steel “just like that from an electric arc furnace” and analyzed more than 10,000 individual samples. This makes it possible to check material properties and material behavior during processing, even before construction of the EAF begins.
Volkmar Held