Apprenticeship in the long term: training and career opportunities

A solid education is the foundation for a successful start to your career. At the Hotel Fernblick Montafon, ten apprentices are currently being trained in three areas: reception, kitchen, and service. We spoke with one of them about his time at Fernblick: apprentice chef Josef Würbel.

Becoming a chef has always been his career aspiration, says Josef Würbel, who is due to take his final apprenticeship exam in June. From an early age, he enjoyed cooking at home and was creative in the kitchen. He is particularly fascinated by the unique characteristics of different countries' cuisines. He would like to experience these for himself abroad at some point in the future. Josef is part of the first cohort to be trained at "GASCHT," the new hospitality school for tourism professions in Vorarlberg. This innovative training program combines the advantages of a three-year tourism school with an apprenticeship. After the first school year, students choose a specialization—in Josef's case, culinary arts—and begin their apprenticeship at a training company. This is how Josef came to Fernblick: "We were here with our class to look at the hotel. I thought it would be a very cool place to do my apprenticeship. I was able to complete two "taster weeks" at Fernblick, during which I worked both in the kitchen and in service, and that reinforced my decision. I am very happy that it worked out."

Interests are encouraged individually

Thanks to the modular structure of the GASCHT training program, students can also complete many additional training courses. Josef decided to go for the young bartender certificate. So it's quite possible that he'll be mixing you a colorful cocktail on your next visit to Fernblick. He has also completed training as a "cheese connoisseur." This specialist knowledge is now helping him to write his thesis on cheese production at the Schlins alpine dairy. And his motivation goes even further: in addition to preparing for his final apprenticeship exam, Josef is also studying for his high school diploma. GASCHT also offers its students the opportunity to take the vocational matriculation examination. This would even enable Josef to go on to university after graduating.

Fernblick and GASCHT – a perfect team

However, training at school is only part of the picture. At Fernblick, apprentices experience the practical side of their profession in tourism. What Josef particularly appreciates about working in the Fernblick team is the trust placed in him: "We apprentices are allowed to work very independently at Fernblick. We are responsible for certain tasks ourselves, which gives me a lot of motivation. But we can always ask our supervisors if we are unsure about something." In general, harmony within the team is important to Josef. "You can just feel that the employees get along very well with each other. For example, we in the kitchen work really well with the service team. That makes work a lot of fun!"

Training even during the coronavirus pandemic

A closed hotel is obviously not ideal for learning a tourism-related profession. Because day-to-day business at Fernblick has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, "training days" are being held for the ten apprentices. Three times a week, they are taught by the department heads of the kitchen, reception, and service areas. "It's a great way to review for the final apprenticeship exam. The training days make me feel very well prepared, even though I haven't had a 'normal' working day in a long time due to the coronavirus," explains Josef.

Another advantage that Josef really enjoys is the exceptional accommodation he receives as a Fernblick employee. He lives in a shared apartment with two other apprentices at the Team Hotel Zassa. This allows them to socialize in the shared kitchen, while still having their own private space. Josef is certain: "It couldn't be better. The accommodation is really nice and living together is great. You don't get opportunities like this in many tourist businesses."