Successful course: 23 aspiring cable car technicians get started!

Successful course: 23 aspiring cable car technicians get started!

An important course in cable car technology that was held at BFI Pinzgau ends on October 22, 2025. The final examinations for the extraordinary final apprenticeship examination were a complete success: with a record number of participants of 23 people, this project was even more appreciated by the organizers. The course is a joint project between the BFI Pinzgau, the Hallein State Vocational School and the Austrian cable car industry, which combines practical and theoretical elements in order to optimally prepare participants for the challenges of cable car operations.

“It was clear right from the start of the course that with solid training we would create the basis for the maintenance and repair of cable cars,” said those responsible in unison. The course provides in-depth knowledge of mechanics, electrical engineering and hydraulics, supplemented by extensive practical training. The high-quality cable cars and lifts at the Hallein State Vocational School in particular ensure that this training is practical.

Training in cable car technology

Training to become a cable car technician is an exciting challenge that requires very special skills. Graduates learn to master complex tasks and apply technical and organizational knowledge. This includes not only operating, servicing and maintaining facilities, but also dealing with guests and maintaining the slopes, including snowmaking. They are also trained in weather and avalanche knowledge and learn the necessary aspects of cost analysis in operations.

• Aufgaben:
  • Bedienen, Warten und Instandhalten aller Anlagen
  • Störungssuche und -behebung
  • Pflege der Pisten, inklusive Beschneiung
  • Wetter- und Lawinenkunde
  • Kundengerechte Kommunikation
  • Teilnahme an Erste-Hilfe-, Bergungs- und Brandschutzübungen
• Anforderungen:
  • Freude an der Arbeit in der Natur
  • Teamfähigkeit
  • Schwindelfreiheit

The training to become a cable car technician lasts three and a half years and not only promotes technical skills, but also personal growth. The graduates of this highly qualified training are therefore ideally prepared for attractive career paths in domestic tourism. In recent years, 700 apprentices have successfully taken this path, supported by the initiative of the Austrian Cable Car Association.

Apprenticeship competition and events

A highlight of the industry is the annual Austria-wide cable car apprentice day, which has established itself as a platform for presenting the knowledge of aspiring cable car technicians. The most recent competition took place on August 21, 2025. Here participants such as Moritz Hübl from the Tauplitz Bergbahnen and the second and third placed Cara Esser from Snow Space Salzburg and Paul Stingl from the Turracher Höhe Bergbahnen were able to demonstrate their skills and pass them on to the experts.

The cable car technology apprenticeship has established itself as an international benchmark and gives graduates not only technical competence, but also the ability to provide perfect care for Austrian tourism guests. BFI Salzburg, as the largest educational institution of the Austrian employee representation, does its part with around 16,000 participations and over 92,000 teaching units every year.

The entire training process is supported by experienced lecturers and specialist teachers, which ensures an excellent interaction between theory and practice. The new cable car technicians are trained to be all-rounders who are ideally prepared for the complex requirements of the industry. Further information about this important professional field can be found on the BFI website cablecar.net, the Hallein state vocational school lbs-hallein.salzburg.at and the WKÖ wko.at be found.