"As one of the largest employers in Upper Austria, we have a high level of social responsibility. That is why we support educational institutions and thereby invest a lot in the further development of the region," explains Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC, thus highlighting the social commitment of his company. The students are able to realize their technology projects with the help of materials used in lightweight construction, which include carbon fabric, honeycomb cores and tools. In this way, FACC contributes to the successful combination of theory classes and practical work in laboratories and workshops. Moreover, the young people are also made familiar with the real-life working environment. "It is precisely this dual training offered at higher technical education institutes that we so greatly value. We are particularly keen to support these young talents on their educational journey," Machtlinger adds. School sponsorship closes a big gap: Composite materials are expensive and often difficult to obtain in small quantities. In addition, FACC offers HTL students the opportunity to use the FACC workshops in the company for practical work. For many years, FACC has also been mentoring sponsored school classes at the HTL Ried, where employees give lectures and organize training sessions. Machtlinger also stresses the importance of FACC experts assisting young people with their know-how and supporting them in making their first professional steps in the world of composites. 

 

Providing materials is just one form of sponsorship with which the leading Upper Austrian company gets young people interested in taking up a technical profession. With its extensive employer branding activities, FACC not only aims to retain its own employees for a long time, but also to attract new top talents. For many years now, the company has been committed to establishing good relationships with the surrounding schools and colleges. Two years ago, the new bachelor's degree program "Lightweight Constructions and Composite Materials" was launched at the Wels University of Applied Sciences with financial support from FACC. As of this year, FACC is awarding scholarships to four students enrolled in this degree course. 

According to the motto "Women in Technology", FACC hopes to attract significantly more women to the world of technology in the future. Female students from the Ried Commercial Academy spent a whole day at the company as part of the "Global Aerospace Supply Chain Management" program. They were able to take part in meetings and conference calls and experience the daily business of a globally active company first hand. Each year, FACC also participates in the "Girls' Day" which allows young women with a passion for technology to get their first work experience. The results speak for themselves: At FACC, women now account for one third of all apprentices. 

Machtlinger emphasizes: "Precisely because we are looking for specialists and skilled employees and we wish to further expand our regional locations, it is of utmost importance for us to present the enormous future potential of FACC as a technology leader and the associated career opportunities in the best possible way". To this end, FACC is committed, amongst other things, to further deepening its cooperation with selected technical schools and universities and thus addressing future specialists at an early stage, for instance by offering internships or support with diploma and master theses.