Teacher by vocation

Whilst working, he completed both the master craftsman's examination and the school-leaving certificate and then went on to train as a vocational teacher at the University of Teacher Education. "I had great teachers myself," is how he explains his career choice. He has been teaching at the regional vocational school in Voitsberg for almost 20 years and, together with a team from LBS Voitsberg, planned and set up a laboratory for renewable energies - the only one in the whole of Austria at the time, mind you.

The enthusiastic teacher gained his specialist qualifications on the Master's degree programme in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland in Pinkafeld. "It wasn't that easy in terms of time," he explains. "The management made it possible for me to travel to Burgenland on Fridays to study. In return, I wanted to give something back to the school - that's how the idea for the special laboratory at the school came about."

The regional vocational school in Voitsberg offers the additional module Renewable Energies, which Schildberger was instrumental in setting up, as part of the apprenticeship to become an electrical building technician. He also teaches at the Styrian University of Applied Sciences and trains HTL and vocational school teachers throughout Austria.

He still raves about his time studying at FH Burgenland today.

He is still just as motivated by his vocation - teaching: "I find it absolutely valuable to train good people. We have a great team, excellent facilities and work on real projects with the students in a very practical way." Many graduates successfully apply for jobs with the project portfolio from his lessons.