15th anniversary master’s celebration in the Vienna Hofburg – 687 new masters for Vienna – the youngest takes the master’s examination at the age of 20 – Neumann: “A celebration of Viennese trade and crafts”
Vienna (OTS) – The Commerce and Crafts division of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce is organizing the “Successfully Mastered” championship celebration for the fifteenth time. The festive ceremony, which will take place on June 26, 2024 in the magnificent ballroom of the Vienna Hofburg, honors the graduates of the master’s and qualification examinations in 2022 and 2023. This time there are an impressive 687 in number.
“Master’s examination stands for high-quality training and quality”
“The master craftsman examination stands for high-quality training, quality, customer orientation and reliability. These qualities are always in demand and prevail. “The graduates and the companies are working together to secure the future of trade and craft,” emphasizes Maria Neumann, chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce’s trade and craft division: “The time has never been so good for the trade.”
Vienna’s youngest champion at 20 years old
Paula Glawion, born on April 13, 2002, is pursuing her dream job as a women’s clothing maker. At 20, she became the youngest champion in Vienna. Inspired by early childhood experiences and the mindset of her grandfather, who always repaired old things, Paula began her professional career with the desire to breathe new life into every fabric and material. Her creative journey took her through the fashion school in Mödling and on to the costume master class at Herbststrasse, where she earned her master’s degree. “Completing the master’s examination was my goal. I’m proud that I can now call myself a master,” said the talented young Viennese, whose passion lies in creating theater costumes. Neumann: “Our young masters are living examples of how attractive teaching is. Many are becoming self-employed and thus helping to ensure that Vienna remains a strong business location.”
Commitment to sustainability
Paula Glawion is strongly committed to sustainability in fashion. Her approach to recycling old materials and using them in her designs highlights her commitment to eco-friendly fashion. Her recent work for The Threepenny Opera is a prime example of how she practices sustainability. Glawion: “Not a single part of the 386 costume pieces had to be bought new, which not only saves costs but also protects the environment. This approach has not only environmental but also educational significance as it creates greater awareness of sustainable practices both within the industry and among audiences.”
The art of craftsmanship
Crafts play a central role in Paula Glawion’s profession. Her ability to create something beautiful and functional from seemingly useless materials has not only earned her recognition in the fashion industry, but also the admiration of her colleagues and mentors. Glawion: “My interest in tailoring began at the age of eight when I wanted to sew clothes for my Barbie dolls. Back then I didn’t have the necessary equipment, let alone the choice of fabrics. So I had to use the materials I had available to dress the dolls: small sweaters made from old wool socks or Barbie wedding dresses made from embroidered cup coasters. This approach to sustainability is what has fascinated me ever since: as a seamstress, I have the opportunity to simply make everything new from whatever fabric or material.”
Advice for youth
Paula Glawion is particularly interested in giving advice to young people who want to pursue a career in fashion. “In the creative scene, like the fashion industry, it’s important to stand up for yourself right from the start and find an individual unique selling point that also has a personal connection. This can look different for each person. For me it’s sustainability and the joy I get when I can give old materials a second life through my craft.”
687 new masters for Vienna
A total of 687 new masters will be honored at the masters celebration. The range of professions underlines the diversity in trade and crafts. This year, monument, facade and building cleaners are particularly well represented with 96 graduates, followed by builders and electrical engineers. The areas of cosmetics, automotive technology as well as hairdressing and wig making are also represented with over 38 new masters. Recognition will also be given to 16 double masters who have demonstrated their qualifications in more than one trade, including in the combinations of eye optics and hearing aid acoustics as well as mechatronics for electrical mechanical engineering and medical device technology.
Top job prospects
With higher vocational education, an independent, practical vocational educational path was created that seamlessly follows on from apprenticeships and is equivalent to the school-academic educational path. “Thanks to higher vocational education, teaching has been enormously enhanced. In the future, young people will have the same development opportunities in the company as they do at school or at university,” says Neumann: “Nobody has to do a high school diploma just for reasons of prestige anymore; the path to higher qualifications now also goes through apprenticeships.”
Questions & Contact:
Mag. Anna Trummer
Vienna Chamber of Commerce
Press and newsroom
T +43 660 4816667
E anna.richter-trummer@wkw.at
W www.wko.at/wien/news