On March 28th at 9:05 p.m. on ORF 2
Vienna (OTS) – Roofers, electricians and bus drivers – three completely different professions that have one thing in common: they are among the green professions that are becoming increasingly important due to the energy transition and the expansion of public transport. Tens of thousands of these skilled workers will be needed in the coming years, but there is already a shortage of staff. For the “Am Schauplatz” report “A lot of work – little staff” – to be seen on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 9:05 p.m. on ORF 2 – Nicole Kampl was traveling all over Austria and illuminated the causes and effects of the shortage of skilled workers on the Roofs and streets of Austria. Who are the people who are installing our PV systems today or giving us rides on the bus and where will they come from in the future?
Local roofers are currently not aware of the construction crisis:
Renovations and freak weather ensure full order books. In the Salzkammergut, the storm damage from summer 2021 has not yet been repaired; people have been living with tarpaulins on their houses for almost three years. “We have a lot going on: it’s a dangerous job, we’re dependent on the weather and everything has to be done professionally. You can’t train a skilled worker in six months,” says Herbert Grünauer, construction manager at TDach, one of the largest roofing companies in the Gmunden district. The roofers and a few female roofers have been on the annual shortage list in Austria since 2012, which means there are fewer than 1.5 job seekers for each open position.
This year, for the first time, eight professions from public transport are on the list – including bus drivers: Jesús Reguera Truco is driving the ski bus in Kaprun for the second season. The Spaniard comes from Madrid and travels all over Spain on tourist buses. He is now in Austria during the winter break. “I never thought I would ride on a ski bus. It’s something special,” says the 31-year-old. “First I had to learn how to drive on snow.” In Vienna, the family business Gschwindl Bus is urgently looking for drivers. Dispatcher Regina Walluch is currently getting her bus driving license.
Daniel Kasmader started his own business as an electrical engineer two years ago. Most of his orders involve PV systems. He already has a career changer as an employee, and now he is looking for reinforcements. For the young Lower Austrian, a four-day week in the company is a given: “I can’t do much in the four hours on Friday anyway. And in emergencies, as the boss, I have to drive myself and all the time for a reason.”