Career check for young adults

Policy development
Practical measure/Initiative
Austria
Download PDF version
Timeline
  • 2019Design
  • 2020Implementation
  • 2021Implementation
  • 2022Implementation
  • 2023Implementation
  • 2024Implementation
ID number
38750

Background

A brief overview of the context and rationale of the policy development, explaining why it is implemented or why it is important.

The career centres of the Austrian Economic Chambers have been offering a partially standardised talent check for young people at the interface between lower and upper secondary level (7th and 8th grade) throughout Austria for several years. This talent check is supposed to consist of different test procedures on interests, abilities and personality and is usually accompanied by counselling services. In several federal provinces, the talent check is offered and carried out for all young people aged about 13 to 14 years.

However, vocational orientation is not only of great importance in the transition from secondary level to upper secondary level, young people who are about to complete a general or vocational secondary school or college also need support in their further education and career choices. To date, there has been no comparable offer by the career centres of the Economic Chambers for the transition from upper secondary school to the next level of education and training (e.g. universities) or the labour market to support career orientation in school.

Objectives

Goals and objectives of the policy development.

The aim of the measures is to use a combination of testing and counselling to find a further career path that best suits a person's interests, skills, personality traits, wishes and ideas so that they can make their education and career choices more easily.

This should also reduce a certain mismatch problem in the labour market by better matching the skills needs of companies and the skills development of young people.

Description

What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.

In 2020, the Career check for young adults was introduced by the Austrian Economic Chambers and rolled out in five federal provinces. The career check is a combination of testing and counselling that supports young people in their career development. The development of the career check started in 2019 in cooperation with experts from the career centres of the regional Economic Chambers with the support of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

The career check includes a test and an individually arranged counselling interview with a psychologist. In the course of the first appointment, the participants complete a battery of tests consisting of an ability test that records their strengths and abilities in various areas, as well as interest and personality questionnaires. The time required for testing and counselling is about 4 to 5 hours. The battery of tests used was compiled on the basis of existing test procedures and adapted to the target group.

In the course of the counselling appointment, the results of the career check are presented and discussed in detail. The participants learn where their individual potential and inclinations lie and how they can incorporate these into their school and vocational development.

The career check for young adults is aimed at people aged 17 to 25, especially those in transition from upper secondary school to the labour market or further education and training.

In principle, the career...

In 2020, the Career check for young adults was introduced by the Austrian Economic Chambers and rolled out in five federal provinces. The career check is a combination of testing and counselling that supports young people in their career development. The development of the career check started in 2019 in cooperation with experts from the career centres of the regional Economic Chambers with the support of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

The career check includes a test and an individually arranged counselling interview with a psychologist. In the course of the first appointment, the participants complete a battery of tests consisting of an ability test that records their strengths and abilities in various areas, as well as interest and personality questionnaires. The time required for testing and counselling is about 4 to 5 hours. The battery of tests used was compiled on the basis of existing test procedures and adapted to the target group.

In the course of the counselling appointment, the results of the career check are presented and discussed in detail. The participants learn where their individual potential and inclinations lie and how they can incorporate these into their school and vocational development.

The career check for young adults is aimed at people aged 17 to 25, especially those in transition from upper secondary school to the labour market or further education and training.

In principle, the career check is subject to a fee of about EUR 180, but in individual federal provinces it can also be offered cheaper or free of charge due to subsidies from the provincial governments or other partners

The career check for young adults is offered by the career centres of the regional Economic Chambers. Currently, the career check is offered in 6 provinces with regional adaptations. By the end of 2023, it is planned that the offer is rolled out to the whole of Austria.

The development and implementation of the career check for young adults is part of the 'We educate the economy' initiative of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

2019
Design

In 2019, the Career check for young adults was under development.

2020
Implementation

In 2020, the development of the Career check for young adults was completed (initial work started in 2019) and the career check was implemented in five of the nine provinces.

2021
Implementation

In 2021, the measure is in place and running in six federal states (Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Burgenland). There have been no relevant changes or innovations.

2022
Implementation

In 2022 no relevant changes took place. The check is currently being carried out in Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Burgenland.

2023
Implementation

In 2023 no relevant changes took place. The check is currently being carried out in Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Burgenland.

2024
Implementation

Aslo in 2024, the career check is being carried out in four of the nine federal states. There have been no relevant changes or innovations.

Bodies responsible

This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
  • Regional entities of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO)
  • Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)

Target groups

Those who are positively and directly affected by the measures of the policy development; those on the list are specifically defined in the EU VET policy documents. A policy development can be addressed to one or several target groups.

Learners

  • Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices
  • Young people (15-29 years old)
  • Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
  • Learners at risk of early leaving or/and early leavers

Thematic categories

Thematic categories capture main aspects of the decision-making and operation of national VET and LLL systems. These broad areas represent key elements that all VET and LLL systems have to different extents and in different combinations, and which come into focus depending on the EU and national priorities. Thematic categories are further divided into thematic sub-categories. Based on their description, policy developments can be assigned to one or several thematic categories.

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.

Lifelong guidance

This thematic sub-category refers to providing high-quality lifelong learning and career guidance services, including making full use of Europass and other digital services and resources.

Subsystem

Part of the vocational education and training and lifelong learning systems the policy development applies to.
IVET
CVET

Further reading

Sources for further reading where readers can find more information on policy developments: links to official documents, dedicated websites, project pages. Some sources may only be available in national languages.
Information and contacts for the career checks (in German only)

Country

Austria

Type of development

Policy developments are divided into three types: strategy/action plan; regulation/legislation; and practical measure/initiative.
Practical measure/Initiative
Cite as

Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Career check for young adults: Austria. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].

https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/38750