- 2016Legislative process
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
Before the introduction of compulsory training until the age of 18, a training guarantee of up to 18 years of age was valid in Austria. To give young people, who have already reached the age of 18 but have not yet achieved sufficient qualifications, better chances of a job, the labour market service, in cooperation with the responsible ministry, extended the training guarantee up to the age of 25.
Objectives
The aim of the measure is to provide a higher qualification for young people who have already achieved maximum compulsory school qualifications, thereby giving them better job market prospects and at the same time countering the impending shortage of skilled workers.
Description
In October 2016, the federal government extended the training guarantee up to the age of 25. This is a special Public Employment Service (AMS) scheme that guarantees young unemployed people aged 19 to 25, who have only completed compulsory education, the right to acquire VET qualifications by attending AMS programmes. To that end, AMS already uses tried-and-tested instruments and funding approaches to offer this target group the possibility of apprenticeship training in companies, alternance apprenticeship training (überbetrieblicher Ausbildung, ÜBA) or other workplace-related qualification measures.
In 2019, no relevant changes took place.
According to the in 2020 available data, around 12 200 people up to the age of 25 received a qualification in 2019. Financial resources of around EUR 77.14 million were used for this. On average in 2019, around 13 500 young people between the ages of 18 and 24, with a maximum of compulsory schooling, were registered as unemployed (around 45% of all unemployed in this age group). The implementation takes place within the framework of applicable federal guidelines for the funding of AMS programmes, which are primarily aimed at vocational training qualifications.
The following instruments are used:
- apprenticeship training for over 18 years old;
- intensive training for skilled workers;
- inter-company vocational training;
- preparation for the final apprenticeship examination;
- job-related qualification;
- training within the framework of a labour foundation/ implacement foundation;
- school education.
According to the in 2021 available data, 11 890 people received a qualification within the framework of the training guarantee up to age 25 in 2020. Funds amounting to EUR 73.8 million were spent on this. In 2020 an average of 18 533 young people aged 19 to 24 with a compulsory school leaving certificate or less were registered as unemployed (approximately 45% of all the unemployed in this age group).
Beyond these subsidies, the Corona job offensive enables additional subsidy opportunities for the target group of young adults with low qualifications or qualifications that are no longer usable on the labour market. A total of EUR 700 million has been made available for this education and training offensive for the period from September 2020 to December 2021 to offer up to 100 000 people sustainable employment prospects.
According to the in 2022 available data, a total of 12 108 young adults participated in this programme in 2021. Funds amounting to EUR 79 million were spent on this. In 2021 an average of 14 300 young people aged 19 to 24 with a compulsory school leaving certificate or less were registered as unemployed (approximately 45% of all the unemployed in this age group) and were given the right to acquire VET qualifications by attending AMS programmes.
According to the 2023 available data in 2022, 11 957 persons received skills training under the Training Guarantee till 25, with a total of EUR 73.7 million spent on this programme. On an annual average, 11 845 young people aged 19 to 24 years with no more than compulsory schooling were registered as unemployed in 2022.
In view of the number of low-skilled, unemployed people between the ages of 20 and 30, the then Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) and the then Federal Ministry of Labour (BMA) (now combined in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy) agreed to set up the 'Just2Job' placement foundation. From October 2020 to the end of 2024, up to 1 000 young adults can join this foundation and complete a shortened apprenticeship at a company. The young people are to be permanently integrated into the labour market with the support of intensive individual support in taking an extraordinary apprenticeship examination (shortened apprenticeship) in a company and then being taken on in a fully insured employment relationship. 100 supra-regional placements (training and employment at least 50 km from the previous place of residence) are financially supported by a special mobility package (relocation costs, rental costs, housing costs, travel costs and costs of special case management such as looking for accommodation, dealing with authorities). 100 returnees will be supported with a returnee package (childcare costs and travel costs in connection with childcare, extended part-time apprenticeship = longer stay at the foundation).
The expenditure from the company apprenticeship funding funds for this is expected to amount to around EUR 12 million by the end of 2024. In 2022, over 12 000 young adults up to the age of 24 with a maximum of compulsory school leaving certificate were able to take advantage of a qualification programme as part of the training guarantee up to 24.
Bodies responsible
- Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS)
- Federal Ministry of Labour, Family and Youth (BMAFJ) (until 2020)
- Federal Ministry of Labour (BMA) (until 2022)
- Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW)
Target groups
Learners
- Young people (15-29 years old)
- Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
- Persons in employment, including those at risk of unemployment
- Low-skilled/qualified persons
Thematic categories
Modernising VET offer and delivery
This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
This thematic sub-category covers all developments related to work-based learning (WBL) elements in VET programmes and apprenticeships which continue to be important in the policy agenda. It includes measures to stabilise the offer of apprenticeships, the implementation of the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships, and using the EU on-demand support services and policy learning initiatives among the Member States. It also covers further expansion of apprenticeships and WBL to continuing VET (CVET), for transition to work and inclusion of vulnerable groups, and for improving citizens’ qualification levels.
Supporting lifelong learning culture and increasing participation
Lifelong learning refers to all learning (formal, non-formal or informal) taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective (Erasmus+, Glossary of terms, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-d/glossary-common-terms). A systemic approach to CVET is crucial to ensure adaptability to evolving demands.
This broad thematic category looks at ways of creating opportunities and ensuring access to re-skilling and upskilling pathways, allowing individuals to progress smoothly in their learning throughout their lives with better permeability between general and vocational education and training, and better integration and compatibility between initial and continuing VET and with higher education. Individuals should be supported in acquiring and updating their skills and competences and navigating easily through education and training systems. Strategies and campaigns that promote VET and LLL as an attractive and high-quality pathway, providing quality lifelong guidance and tailored support to design learning and career paths, and various incentives (financial and non-financial) to attract and support participation in VET and LLL fall into this thematic category as well.
This thematic category also includes many initiatives on making VET inclusive and ensuring equal education and training opportunities for various groups of learners, regardless of their personal and economic background and place of residence – especially those at risk of disadvantage or exclusion, such as persons with disabilities, the low-skilled and low-qualified, minorities, migrants, refugees and others.
This thematic sub-category refers to making VET pathways and programmes inclusive and accessible for all. It concerns measures and targeted actions to increase access and participation in VET and lifelong learning for learners from all vulnerable groups, and to support their school/training-to-work transitions. It includes measures to prevent early leaving from education and training. The thematic sub-category covers measures promoting gender balance in traditionally ‘male’ and ‘female’ professions and addressing gender-related and other stereotypes. The vulnerable groups are, but not limited to: persons with disabilities; the low-qualified/-skilled; minorities; persons of migrant background, including refugees; people with fewer opportunities due to their geographical location and/or their socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Training guarantee extension up to age 25: Austria. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/es/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/27991