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voestalpine AG
We are creating tomorrow’s “green jobs”

We are creating tomorrow’s “green jobs”

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.

Two male and two female apprentices in blue voestalpine work clothing and hard hats
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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.

Group photo greentecsteel staff: Markus B., Gudrun E., Wolfgang R.
(from left) 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 steel production with net zero CO2-emissions.

Wolfgang R.
HR Manager

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.

four voestalpine employees in work clothes and one female and two male employees wearing greentec steel shirts

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.

Helga R.
HR Manager

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.

Werner G.
Training Coordinator

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.

green 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.

Our focus on greentec steel

Within the framework of our focus greentec steel, we provide an overview of our concrete steps on the way towards long-term green steel production and the innovative processes we are using on this way. We provide information about the challenges we face and the breakthrough technologies we are already researching today in order to achieve our goal of steel production with net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

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voestalpine AG

Die voestalpine ist ein weltweit führender Stahl- und Technologiekonzern mit kombinierter Werkstoff- und Verarbeitungskompetenz. Die global tätige Unternehmensgruppe verfügt über rund 500 Konzerngesellschaften und -standorte in mehr als 50 Ländern auf allen fünf Kontinenten. Sie notiert seit 1995 an der Wiener Börse. Mit ihren Premium-Produkt- und Systemlösungen zählt sie zu den führenden Partnern der Automobil- und Hausgeräteindustrie sowie der Luftfahrt- und Öl- & Gasindustrie und ist darüber hinaus Weltmarktführer bei Bahninfrastruktursystemen, bei Werkzeugstahl und Spezialprofilen. Die voestalpine bekennt sich zu den globalen Klimazielen und verfolgt mit greentec steel einen klaren Plan zur Dekarbonisierung der Stahlproduktion.