Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Competence Center for Tiles, Ceramics, and Stove”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
The CERAMICO Competence Center in Stoob, under the leadership of Ceramico Burgenland GmbH founded in December 2021, has dedicated itself to centralizing the know-how of the construction trades—particularly the stove-fitter, tile-layer, and ceramics trades. The concept was presented during a press conference.
“With the founding of CERAMICO GmbH, we are not only strengthening the Stoob location as a school and training site but also as an economic hub. Stoob is the epitome of ceramics and stove building. For me, this tradition is part of Burgenland’s identity. That is why it is particularly important to me not only to preserve this branch but to expand it. I congratulate the new managing director Anita Wolf on her appointment and wish her all the best for the upcoming tasks.”
“The CERAMICO Campus is an enormous enrichment for the Burgenland educational landscape. Strengthening school, apprenticeship, and further training for professions in the branches of ceramics, stove building, and tile technology will not only increase the diversity and quality of training opportunities in Burgenland, but it will also improve job market prospects in the region. We are deliberately focusing on enhanced practical training, which is an important aspect of preparing for the professional world.”
CERAMICO Campus
CERAMICO Technical
Research and development, as well as the development of new guidelines for the construction trades. In close cooperation with industry and professional associations, Ceramico Technical strives to realize innovative ideas, help shape standards, and set quality benchmarks. With its engineering office, the center also offers services in the areas of product development and market analytics.
CERAMICO Production
CERAMICO Service
Ceramico Burgenland GmbH, under the business area "Ceramico Service," offers industry-related associations the opportunity to benefit from the existing infrastructure, expertise, and long-standing experience in the field of association organization and administration. Through a rental and service contract, the tenant associations are substantially relieved and optimally supported via personnel sharing and the outsourcing of administrative and clerical tasks, event management, accounting, etc.
STOOB. "With the appointment of the new director, a spirit of new beginnings is returning to the Stoob ceramics school location," said State Governor Hans Peter Doskozil. "Together with experts, we have developed a concept for a competence center that brings together training, production, a testing facility, expert services, and more under one roof. A particularly important aspect is the focus on economic networking with companies and cooperation partners."
18 Million Euro Investment
A total of 18 million euros is to be invested at the location, with the first step being necessary renovation work on the boarding school facilities. Eight to ten million euros of the total sum will be allocated to the school area, half of which will be financed by the Ministry of Education.
According to Doskozil, there is already a commitment from Education Minister Martin Polaschek for this—provided that a total of around 80 students is reached in the final expansion. Wolf expressed confidence in this regard and aims for a maximum number of around 200 students in the future.
“In Stoob, we have a unique technical school for tiles, ceramics, and stove building. Here, starting in the 2022/23 school year as part of a pilot project, the skilled workers of the future will receive comprehensive training. The focus of the training is on practical, hands-on education with up to 26 weeks of company practice—12 weeks more than before. This allows students to learn the craft directly in practice and have optimal basic conditions for a successful career.”
As part of a pilot project unique in Austria, starting with the 2022/23 school year, the focus of training is directed towards the most comprehensive, practice-oriented education possible. Young people are offered the following opportunities:
Technical School
The four-year technical school for ceramics and stove building teaches techniques and manual skills in the areas of ceramics, slab and tile laying, and stove building. A graduation replaces an apprenticeship in the professions of "ceramist," "stove fitter," or "slab and tile layer," depending on the chosen focus.
College
For career changers who have already passed the university entrance exam (Matura), we offer the possibility to take the diploma exam in stove building technology within two years. The first two semesters focus on acquiring the technical and practical skills of the craft.
Advanced Course in Stove Building Technology
Graduates of our school or comparable training (related technical school or apprenticeship) have the opportunity to obtain the university entrance and diploma qualification through our advanced course (two years).
Adult Education & Career Changers
In the area of adult education, the campus is characterized by a continuously developed course offering that allows trained specialists to acquire additional qualifications, pursue further training, or participate in a preparatory course for the master craftsman examination. Furthermore, there are workshops and summer courses for interested career changers and excursions for school classes. The center also houses a producing ceramics business. In addition to industrially manufactured raw or bisque ware for ceramics producers and an attractive standard range, special custom-made products and commissioned work for private and commercial customers are part of our daily business.
Source: Read the original article | Published: April 04, 2022