Styria starts a revolutionary program for apprentices in sports!

Styria starts a revolutionary program for apprentices in sports!

Today, October 2nd, 2025, was a special day for two promising talents in Styria. Marcel Hochhold and Jan Fasching began their new training with the State of Styria at the beginning of September this year. They are the first apprentices in the innovative training format “Apprenticeship and Competitive Sports”, which combines sound apprenticeship training with the high demands of competitive sports. This unique initiative was also presented by the state as part of a major education fair and offers young athletes the opportunity to advance their careers in both school and sport without having to make any compromises.

State Governor Mario Kunasek personally received the two young apprentices and was proud of the support program for competitive athletes. “People will stay here in Styria and experience a great education,” said Kunasek, emphasizing the country’s attractiveness for young athletes. Günther Neukirchner, development coach at SK Sturm, and Gerald Pototschnig, President of the Styrian Cycling Association, were also present at the reception. According to them, this dual training plays a crucial role in youth work and is intended to help promote talent in sport and the professional world.

A look at the apprenticeships

Marcel Hochhold, who is a soccer player for SK Sturm Graz, is training to become an administrative assistant in Department 9 – Culture, Europe and Sport. At the same time, he has the opportunity to further advance his football career. Jan Fasching, on the other hand, is learning the profession of structural draftsman in Department 7 - communities, elections and rural road construction and is active in cycling. Both apprentices benefit from the flexible training models offered by the state of Styria; Working hours are individually tailored to competition and training dates.

One of the most notable provisions of the program is the option to extend the apprenticeship period by up to 18 months. This allows athletes to adapt their training to their sporting commitments, which is of great importance for their further development. The success of this model is reflected not least in the fact that the state of Styria currently employs around 140 apprentices in 18 different professions.

Future prospects for young athletes

The introduction of “apprenticeships and competitive sports” not only promotes the compatibility of training and a sporting career, but also lays the foundation for future advertisements for further apprenticeships. This initiative clearly stands out and shows how important it is to offer young competitive athletes a suitable framework so that they can develop both professionally and sportingly. The country's commitment is a sign that success in competitive sports begins not only on the playing field, but also in training.

For anyone who would like to find out more about the project, steiermark.orf.at offers additional information. Further details can also be found on political.steiermark.at and unzensuriert.at.