TU Graz people: What is special about the training of laboratory technology apprentices?
Barbara Seibt: All our apprentices complete their apprenticeship with two qualifications after four years of training: Laboratory Technology in Chemistry and Laboratory Technology in Biochemistry and Biotechnology. During this time, we provide them with continual encouragement and support. Starting with preparation for the first year of vocational school through to specific lab sessions, both theoretical and practical, for the final apprenticeship examination.
TU Graz people: How does this training work?
Adelheid Bakhshi: The training of laboratory technicians is organised by us across faculties, 14 TU Graz institutes are involved and we also advertise the apprenticeships jointly. The apprentices attend vocational school together and also receive in-house training together. The in-house training takes place from the first to the fourth year of the apprenticeship and is aligned with the content of the laboratory technician job profile.
TU Graz people: What exactly can the apprentices expect?
Barbara Seibt: As part of this training, the apprentices get to know different institutes, listen to specialist lectures, complete internships there and thus familiarise themselves with different areas of work and work techniques. This joint training also promotes mutual support and social contact between the apprentices. A certificate signed by the Vice Rector for Human Resources is issued after the final apprenticeship examination as proof that additional training has been completed.
TU Graz people: Do other companies offer this kind of training?
Adelheid Bakhshi: No, as far as we know, neither in other companies nor at any other university – this form of training for laboratory technology apprentices is unique. Apparently, word has got around. We recently had over 120 applications for four apprenticeships.
TU Graz people: What prompted you to initiate this training programme?
Barbara Seibt: Apprentice training used to be very specialised, which is why this in-house training format was created. As a university in particular has many different specialist areas, we wanted to use these opportunities to provide trainees with comprehensive knowledge in order to increase their chances on the job market. The double apprenticeship is only possible thanks to this good cooperation between the individual institutes.
TU Graz people: How would you describe TU Graz as a training centre?
Adelheid Bakhshi: TU Graz is an excellent training centre because, in addition to an economically secure working environment, apprentices are offered many additional benefits, ranging from joint activities to various discounts and health-promoting courses.
This article focuses on inter-institutional training programme for laboratory technology apprentices. In the TU Graz people cover story, you can read also the article "Apprenticeship Training at Graz University of Technology".
You can find this article and other articles to browse through in TU Graz people #96, the magazine for TU Graz employees and interested parties.
