Young heroes wanted for the cable car industry

Like all industries, the ropeway industry is subject to changing demographics, and in the next few years many skilled technicians will be going into well-earned retirement. The ropeway industry is responding by launching the first national "Alpine Tech Heroes" campaign to get young people into ropeway professions.

By choosing a career as a Ropeway Mechatronist AFC or Ropeway Operator CFP, young people opt for an apprenticeship -with broad prospects. The job profile is broad, with technical disciplines of mechanics, electrical engineering and hydraulics, includes interesting aspects such as knowledge of weather and avalanches in the great outdoors, and also offers opportunities for stable, long-term jobs. Young talent is spoiled for choice. The cable car industry has launched a national "Alpine Tech Heroes" campaign to raise awareness of the profession nationwide.

A look at the world of cable cars at about 50 locations
On Monday, March 18, 2024, and Friday, March 22, 2024, some 50 ropeway and cableway companies from across Switzerland, as well as the Swiss Ropeway Training Center and the Ticino Electricity Company, will open their doors to offer young people a glimpse behind the scenes of ropeways. During the "Call of Heroes" orientation days, interested young people will learn about the various tasks of mechatronic engineers in ropeways, not only welding in the workshop, but also outside with maintenance work on cable car supports and operating snow groomers. On the alpinetechheroes.ch website, students can find more information about apprenticeships and register for "Call of Heroes" information days in eight regions of Switzerland. "Working where others go on vacation: that's how you can describe working at a cable car company. The combination of nature and technology is exciting, the training is extensive, and the prospects for the future could not be better," says Berno Stoffel, director of Swiss Ropeways.

First national campaign for young talent in the cable car industry
In cooperation with the nine regional associations, Funivie Schweiz launched the first national campaign for young people. For the first time, visitors to the ZEBI job fairs in Lucerne, FIUTSCHER in Chur, and the Salon des Métiers in Lausanne were informed about the "Call of Heroes" information days. More recently, young people and parents have been informed via social media, posters, and flyers on the alpinetechheroes.ch website in order to register for events and find out about available apprenticeship positions. "You have to experience the 2 / 4 spirit of working at the cable cars, as employees work with a lot of passion and talent. Teamwork is crucial. That is why we want young people to experience the world of ropeways in its reality, and we have decided to organize nationwide events," says Berno Stoffel. Interested parties can register for the "Call of Heroes" information days at alpinetechheroes.ch open until mid-March 2024.

Further information 
Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cableways, +41 31 350 43 40 
Barbara Gnägi, Project Manager Communication, +41 31 350 43 55