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For several years, European institutions have stressed the importance of vocational education and training (VET) for the employability of (young) people, for economic competitiveness and growth, and for broader social challenges, in particular social cohesion.
The Austrian apprenticeship training system is seen as IVET provision that meets the requirements of the labour market and aids smooth transition from training to employment. Although Austria has low youth unemployment, many challenges still have to be overcome, such as the high number of apprenticeship dropouts and of candidates who fail in the final exam.
Up to September 30, 56 356 applications for asylum had been filed in Austria in 2015, compared to 17 010 in 2014 (cf. Asylstatistik 09/2015). In the federal capital Vienna (which is the most populous Austrian province), three projects are currently aiming to make the education and labour market integration of refugees easier.
The Adult education initiative (Initiative Erwachsenenbildung) is a binding agreement reached between provincial governments and the federal government in 2012. It enables young people who have completed compulsory education to acquire basic competences and adults to complete compulsory schooling. Both programmes are free of charge and guarantee high standards.
The Austrian academy of continuing education (Weiterbildungsakademie, WBA) validates and recognises formally, non-formally and informally acquired competences of adult educators and awards two-stage degrees against set standards: a WBA certificate and, for certificate holders, a WBA diploma. WBA aims to professionalise adult education in Austria without offering continuing education and training itself. It acknowledges prior learning results and offers guidance on the acquisition of missing skills. In May 2015 WBA registered its 2000th application since its foundation in 2007.
Transition from school to work is a challenge for a lot of young people. Many are not able to enter apprenticeship or further education due to a lack of basic and social skills. Adequate support measures are needed. Since January 2014, the nation-wide scheme AFit counteracts and offers support to young people in transition.
Since 2002, school trial projects have been carried out to reshape upper secondary education. One central aim is reduction of class repetition by offering individual learning support (Individuelle Lernbegleitung, ILB). Focus is on supporting pupils with learning difficultires, as well as on encouraging high performers.
Soaring number of readers since 2007, now with English abstracts
By introducing youth coaching the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture have taken an important step towards counteracting early school-leaving.