ÖBB Annual Report 2023

35 For a reliable future MATTHÄ: What I have said repeatedly in recent years still applies: We are looking for many employees! At least until the generation change is complete. Seriously though: we are currently still finding enough employees as we have a lot to offer as a company – reasonable working conditions, good and fair pay, many additional benefits from housing to leisure activities in our sports facilities and, last but not least, meaningful work in the future-oriented green jobs sector. WALDNER: The effort we put into finding new employees is enormous, and not just for the those occupations termed as being in short supply. In addition to integrating the many new colleagues into the company, we are also increasingly faced with the problem of our employees being headhunted by other companies. The pressure on recruitment is extremely high. Is the railway operation jeopardised if HR is unable to find enough new colleagues? MATTHÄ: Manuela Waldner has already mentioned that there are individual areas that are on the aforementioned shortage occupation list. The list ranges from train drivers and bus drivers to train attendants and shunters, to name but a few examples. It is clear to us that we will have to keep at it even after the current wave of retirements, because we will need more employees than we currently employ due to the planned expansion of services even as technology advances. Mrs Waldner, you have now been with ÖBB for approx. 200 days. What is it like for you as a “neo-railroader”? WALDNER: It is fantastic and I am a passionate railroader. I previously spent many years advising companies in the rail sector and the rail industry, but now I have the opportunity to implement concepts and strategies for the future of mobility myself and help shape the railway system. Thank you for the interview. < MANUELA WALDNER. The Board of Management of ÖBB-Holding AG in dialogue for continuous modernisation and even more quality for customers “The digitalisation of all rail operations is essential if we really want to achieve our capacity targets.” MANUELA WALDNER