ASHACH. Philipp Bruckner from Aschach has the chance to become the best plant electrician in the world at the WorldSkills World Skills Championship.

From Wednesday to Sunday, 20-year-old Philipp Bruckner will compete with the world’s best in his field at the Austrian “home game” in Salzburg. The Aschacher wants to use the home advantage and win precious metal in the hard-fought competition of the plant electricians – in front of around 30,000 fans. “I’ve been training since the beginning of March and have even intensified my preparation in the last few weeks. I’m now full of energy and I’m happy that it’s finally starting,” says Bruckner.

Complex tasks await the 20-year-old on site: “In detail, a small system has to be set up, including a control box on site, a networked industrial computer and programming,” says the World Cup starter. “There are actually five different professions combined in one competition. It’s very comprehensive and complex.” The Upper Austrian hope for a medal doesn’t feel any pressure: “Of course there’s a bit of nervousness involved, especially since it’s a home world championship. But I’ve prepared myself conscientiously, so I’m confident that I’ll be able to perform well,” says the plant electrician.

Bruckner even associates his greatest professional sense of achievement to date with the city of Mozart: last year he qualified for the World Championships in Salzburg of all places by winning the AustrianSkills.

In “real” life, Philipp Bruckner works as an electrical engineer for Voestalpine Stahl GmbH in Linz. Among other things, he is responsible there for high-voltage power distribution. “It’s very varied, with many different tasks.”

Next Sunday at the “Closing Ceremony” the World Championships will find their crowning conclusion – from 4 p.m. Bruckner and his red-white-red teammates will know whether they were enough for a medal.