Policy Statement

Apprenticeship is a traditional and at the same time a very modern form of vocational training. The combination of learning in the company, integrated into the economic and entrepreneurial reality, and in the vocational school, where mainly professional basics, theory and general education are imparted, is also internationally an "example of best practice" to help young people succeed in their careers.

One of the challenges at the moment is shortage of skilled workers and the demographic change. Therefore strengthening apprenticeship training could be one of the solutions. That´s why we want to further enhance the value of apprenticeships as an attractive form of training. The aim is to encourage more young people to start an apprenticeship. It is necessary to make apprenticeships even more attractive.

The apprenticeship system must respond quickly and flexibly to new requirements in the economy, new technical developments and in particular to megatrends like digitalization, climate protection, sustainability and efficiency in energy and ressource management.

One point is continuously developing apprenticeship training. We do this by creating new job profiles and adapting already existing apprenticeships by the inclusion of new elements.

• all new training regulations are formulated according to learning outcomes and technical and interdisciplinary areas of competence
  •  "Working in a company and professional environment"
  •  "Quality-oriented, safe and sustainable work" and
  •  "Digital work"
• companies are directly involved in the ongoing development process of the apprenticeship occupational landscape beginning in defining future needs of the economy until in the elaboration of new or modernising of existing vocational profiles
• Occupations as “Application development - Coding”, “Electrical engineering” or “Mechatronics” were started.
• Training associations have developed particularly well in recent years, where apprentices - but also trainers - can obtain additional skills such as new environmentally practices, job-related foreign languages and much more.

On the other point it is necessary to offer people who have completed an apprenticeship a new pathway to further education. The Austrian federal government has set itself the goal of upgrading apprenticeship training in Austria, highlighting its importance for companies, young people and young adults and promoting it in a targeted manner through new measures, for example encouraging innovative forms of training or supporting non-traditional target groups.

• Higher VET (C-VET): Especially future topics such as digitization and climate change create career opportunities for IVET graduates, as the need for skilled workers is constantly increasing in these areas
• an apprenticeship program for high school graduates – Dual Academy as special form of dual training was started in 2022/2023