Developing Qualifications in Austria

At the beginning of the formal process of apprenticeship development, a proposal for a new occupational profile is submitted to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy. The preparatory work for the development of this proposal, which is usually done within the sector, is not covered by the formal process. After an initial verification, the proposal is sent to the Federal Vocational Training Advisory Board (B-BAB). The Federal Vocational Training Advisory Board makes an initial assessment (demand, potential training companies, possible vocational school locations, clarification of the apprenticeship occupation structure) and nominates experts to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy.

After a positive evaluation, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy arranges for up to three workshops to be held for detailed elaboration with experts nominated by the social partners and representatives of the vocational schools (the number of experts is based on expediency and availability). After verification by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy, a final social partnership vote and decision is made in the Federal Vocational Training Advisory Board.

The legislative work starts, and a training regulation is formulated. Like all other legal acts in Austria, the draft has to pass public review and ends with the official notice of the new training regulations. The training regulations specify the date of entry into force, after which the training regulation has to be applied.