Qualification Initiative - Construction

Name of the instrument - Local language: Qualifizierungsoffensive Bau
Name of the instrument - English translation: Qualification Initiative - Construction
Country: Austria
Type of instrument: Grant for companies
Type of entry: Example for a group of instruments

Short description: Companies of the construction sector in Styria can apply for the grant to finance their training costs. Co-funding is 50% of the eligible costs. The eligible education and training activities have to be listed in a specific program.
Short description of the related instruments: All Austrian Regions (Bundesländer) have established funding schemes for promoting local companies in the fields such as innovation, export activities or training. For these types of activities, various agencies have been founded in many Regions. Training is supported either as a stand-alone activity or as a part of a broader initiative, for example, targeting innovation activities. Particular schemes are typically volatile, often available only for a short period, however, consecutive schemes are providing similar types of support for training over time. Currently, there is no comprehensive overview on Austria's local schemes supporting training in companies (in particular, on schemes, where cofounding of training is embedded in wider support schemes).

Level of operation

Sectoral

Regional

Name of a part of the country

nap

Name of the region (for regional instruments)

Styria

Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)

Construction sector

Relevance

Marginal scheme

Legal basis

In each of the Bundesländer specific laws are implemented.

Objective(s) and target(s)

To upskill entrepreneurs and employees to secure the company and to protect the jobs.

Year of implementation

2003

Year of latest amendment

2014

Operation/Management

Companies in the contruction sector can apply for the grant at the Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung (SFG) which then decides upon the funding. The SFG is an outsourced limited company (GmbH) of public law of the parliament of the Bundesland Styria. It is financed by the local government and is responsible for the whole execution of the funding.
The SFG is a service provider, which aims to contribute to the consolidation and growth of the Styrian economy. The SFG is responsible for attracting new business to the region in an effort to encourage industrial expansion. They offer companies a broad range of services free of charge, such as general information, advice on grants and financing and location consultancy/location analysis. They help with forging links to Styrian technology and centres of excellence as well as to networks and clusters.

Eligible group(s)

Companies in the construction sector in Styria.

Group(s) with preferential treatment

None

Education and training eligible

All trainings are funded which are listed in the specific training course program.

Source of financing and collection mechanism

Budget of Styria Bundesländer
matching: companies

Financing formula and allocation mechanisms

50% of the course costs are covered with no minimum and no maximum amount.

Allocation: The application must be made before the beginning of each course. Invoice, service delivery and even debit value date must be dated after the date of the application. The documents have to be submitted by the applicant company at the SFG. After examining the payment is made directly to the bank account of the company.
Grants are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Eligible costs