Vocational school for tilers - Stoob, Germany

Lasselsberger, RAKO support vocational school for tile, ceramics and masonry in Stoob, Austria

The Vocational Ceramic School in Stoob, Burgenland, is a comprehensive training and competence centre for the ceramic industry in Austria. Under the management of Ceramico Burgenland GmbH, around 200 craftsmen are trained at the regional vocational school for tile, ceramics and stone masonry. Lasselsberger supplied RAKO ceramic tiles for the school dormitory. But the cooperation does not end with the delivery of tiles.  "Lasselsberger continues to support the school and apprenticeship. We want to diversify the teaching programme with expert lectures and training sessions. We will provide apprentices with the necessary working materials for practical training, i.e. RAKO tiles," says Petr Machoň, RAKO brand marketing director.

The shortage of skilled workers in skilled trades is not only a major challenge for the construction industry in the Czech Republic. Two years ago, Lasselsberger opened a professional training centre for tile setters in Horní Bříza. Petr Machoň adds: "During the period of our operation we have managed to train more than 1,000 tile specialists and craftsmen. This is a big commitment for us to look for new topics, system solutions, etc., which we introduce to the tilers and craftsmen at practical training sessions. As we are very active on the Austrian market, we want to participate in the education and training of future tile workers here as well."

In the Austrian town of Stoob, near the Hungarian border, they are actively addressing this situation by offering those interested in tiling, stoves and ceramics excellent training programmes at the top level". The operator of the regional vocational school for tilers, ceramists and stonemasons is the Province of Burgenland, represented by the state-owned Ceramico Burgenland GmbH, which is now transforming the formerly "dusty" training centre into a modern campus with a wide range of training opportunities. The campus combines a four-year vocational school, a supplementary education programme and a further education programme in the field of stove technology under one roof. In September 2023, a new dormitory was added to these premises.

Securing the future

Managing Director of the Austrian Tile Association and Ceramico GmbH, Dipl. Ing. Anita Wolfová, says about the project: "The site on Keramikstraße 16 in Stoob has been around for a long time and has a tradition. However, we quickly realised that we needed to create an even more attractive learning environment and offer the best possible education. The new boarding school is an important step, and the European school will follow in the near future." Commenting on the involvement of Lasselsberger, which specialises in the manufacture of RAKO tiles, she adds: "Lasselsberger and RAKO are important partners for us! The tile manufacturer Lasselsberger was interested in our educational concept and project from the very beginning. For example, we are supported by RAKO cladding as part of the students' internships." 

Reliable partners and expertise

The project and its implementation in Stoob was handled by the in-house project department of Landesimmobilien Burgenland (LIB), while architect Ralph Steffek was in charge of the project management of the new dormitory building. Lasselsberger supplied white 30 x 60 cm tiles for the walls in the sanitary facilities and the kitchen. The floors of the corridors and main areas in the building are covered with Extra series tiles and large-format Betonico tiles (80 x 80 and 60 x 60 cm). In addition, the flooring in the kitchen of the new dormitory building was tiled with Taurus tiles, 20 x 20 cm, with R11/B and R12/V4 finishes. The paving was laid by the local company Strobl & Strobl Fliesendesign GmbH, which was as satisfied with the deadlines, product quality and service of the RAKO brand as Ceramico Burgenland GmbH.

Specialised crafts... Our vision of long-term cooperation 

Olaf Heisler, project manager and head of sales for RAKO in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, is delighted with the successful cooperation with the vocational school, which will be deepened in the future: "We have already managed to organise several training courses at the regional vocational school in Stoob to optimally prepare future craftsmen for their profession in practice. Among other things, we introduced them to the technical characteristics and standards, informed them about production procedures and raw materials, as well as about the maintenance of ceramic tiles. This is essential basic knowledge that is essential in practice."