The Swiss enterprise Stadler is continuing the legacy of Czech transportation engineering through its Prague branch, investing in innovative technologies and human talent. We discussed this subject with Ondřej Vaško, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer & Head of Project Management.
You constantly enhance the functionality and effectiveness of your rail vehicles. What innovative advancements can your passengers expect to witness across Europe?
Stadler is at the forefront of crafting the transportation solutions for tomorrow. We are leading the way in the market with our innovative battery-powered and hydrogen-fuelled railway vehicles. The demand and progress in these technologies are steadily increasing, and it is highly probable that these advanced units will be making their way to the Czech Republic or Slovakia in the foreseeable future. We have confidence that the renowned Swiss quality and dependability will resonate well in these markets. Moreover, we expect that the outstanding comfort offered by Stadler’s vehicles will be esteemed not only by the passengers but also by the operators, who will benefit from their exceptional reliability and optimised maintenance. Our product range offers a diverse array of choices to meet various needs.
You have an experienced team of developers based in Prague, yet you continue to grow dynamically. Could you share your areas of expertise and your vision for their future expansion?
Our engineering hub in Prague has been a part of the Stadler company for almost 15 years. It has gained a strong position in the development of new transport projects within the entire multinational Stadler Group. What began as a modest assembly of 30 designers has grown into a versatile team of nearly 200 specialists, with numbers still on the rise.
At present, our Prague office is equipped to manage 3–4 projects simultaneously during the engineering phase. We boast a nearly comprehensive set of engineering capabilities essential for designing new projects, whether they involve trams, trains, or metro systems. In the coming years, our ambition is to enhance our proficiency in the areas of rough structure calculations, undercarriage construction for Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) and Regional/Suburban Trains (RST), as well as advancing our expertise in the integration of class B safety systems into the European Train Control System (ETCS), complete with final homologation in line with the Control Command and Signalling Technical Specifications for Interoperability (CCS TSI).
Our goal for the forthcoming years is to broaden our skill set across all departments, ultimately increasing our capacity to handle 5–6 projects annually. To fulfil this challenging objective, it is crucial for us to continue developing our Prague office while simultaneously elevating our competencies.
Which scarcity of professions within your industry do you perceive to be experiencing in the job market?
In our sector, the most pronounced shortages are seen in technical roles with a specialised focus on the design and safety of rolling stock. Specifically, there is a high demand for systems engineers specialising in electrical components, senior mechanical engineers, and experts in homologation processes. Additionally, there is a significant need for expertise in the calculation of structural loads and the design of underframes. Specialists in the areas of rolling stock fire safety, train signalling, and engineers adept in passenger information systems are also in short supply. Lately, there has been a growing need for proficient technical project managers. Nonetheless, Stadler Prague is open to individuals seeking professional growth and development, whether they join us after university or during their studies. Our motto is that the most skilled specialists are those trained within the company.
Could you share your experiences with recent graduates, and describe your cooperation with academic institutions?
The proficiency of engineering graduates has somewhat diminished in recent years, which might reflect a generational shift towards prioritising a work-life balance. In response to these changes, we are initiating partnerships with two technical universities this year. Additionally, we are looking into creating part-time positions and internships specifically tailored for students. We believe that if we offer students the opportunity to work in an attractive technical field, they will not hesitate where to start their professional career after graduation.
What chances do staff members have to engage in Stadler’s international projects?
Our Prague-based employees have a high likelihood of participating in international projects since our division oversees ventures across Europe. As examples, we have worked on diagnostic trains for Spain and Italy, the new Flirt SmX for the Finnish operator VR, trams for Sarajevo, and both electric and diesel Flirt units for Serbia and Slovenia, as well as KISS double-decker units for Slovenia and Slovakia. The Prague engineering office of Stadler is a testament to its extensive expertise and capabilities due to these varied projects.
Many engineers travel to provide professional support to their colleagues in the assembly of new projects, a practice consistently implemented at our production facility in Poland. This support role affords our designers invaluable experience in understanding the intricacies and challenges of the assembly process. Likewise, the opportunity to get to know the assembly team personally and understand the details of their work is the key not only to good cooperation, but also to the growth of our designers’ expertise. Furthermore, Stadler provides training opportunities for our employees at international Stadler sites.
The Prague design office is clear evidence of how Stadler supports talent development, expands the qualities of local specialists and advances the know-how of Czech and Slovak engineers to an international level. This is positive news for the local industry and particularly inspiring for the upcoming generation of engineers regarding their prospects.
Thank you for the interview.
