Database of labour market practices
This database gathers practices in the field of employment submitted by European countries for the purposes of mutual learning. These practices have proven to be successful in the country concerned, according to its national administration. The European Commission does not have a position on the policies or measures mentioned in the database.
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Original Title: | Überbetriebliche Lehrausbildung (ÜBA) |
Country: | Austria |
Responsible body: | Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (BMASK) |
Name(s) of other organisations involved (partners / sub-contractors): | Public employment services Austria (AMS); Social partner organisations represented in the AMS (such as the Economic Chamber, the Federal Chamber of Labour, the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Federation of Austrian Industry); Companies (both private and non-profit); Schools and training bodies |
Start Year of implementation: | 2008 |
End Year of implementation: | Ongoing |
EU policy relevance: | Young people have been badly hit by the economic crisis, particularly when making the transition from school to work. In 2011, 12.9% of EU citizens aged 15-24 were not in education, employment or training (NEET). According to Eurofound, this has severe economic costs for the EU (over €150 billion in 2011), as well as causing long-term harm to NEETs by making them more likely to face social and political isolation. Given the gravity of this situation, the EU is committed to bringing down the youth unemployment rate and speeding up transitions between school and work. The EU’s desire to tackle this issue is reflected in its policy framework. In particular, the Youth on the Move flagship initiative calls for an early school leaving rate of less than 10%. In December 2012, Europe released a Youth Employment Package of various measures to advance towards these objectives, such as an alliance for apprenticeships and planned reforms to the EURES Network to promote youth mobility. Furthermore, in the Annual Growth Survey for 2013, the Commission emphasised the importance of ‘youth guarantee’ schemes as an active labour market policy to be pursued by Member States. |
National labour market context: | Austria is a highly industrialised country with a strong and expanding service sector (particularly in tourism and the public service). In comparison with the rest of Europe, it had low unemployment rates in 2012-2013, both for the entire adult population and those aged under 25. In August 2013, 8.6% of Austrians aged 24 or younger were out of work, compared to the EU average of 23.4%. Austria also had a low rate of young NEETs (6.5% in 2012, against the EU-27 average of 13.2%). The highly established vocational education and training (VET) system was an important reason for its success in this area. Austria invests significant resources in young people and their integration into the labour market. In 2012, they received the most public funding of any group. There was a comprehensive network of support for young people, developed by two key government programmes in particular: the Training Guarantee, in place since 2008; and the Future for Youth Action programme, effective from 2009. The strength of the vocational system in Austria is reflected in the fact that 80% of each cohort of 15-year-olds entered into a VET scheme in 2011. In Austria, the last year of compulsory education (at age 14) signals an important juncture in a young adult’s life. At this stage, he/she must choose whether to continue in an academic school or enter into vocational training. For the latter, students can opt for either a VET school /college or for the dual training system. |
Policy area: | Active labour market policies, Education and training systems, Skills supply, productivity and lifelong learning |
Specific policy or labour market problem being addressed: | Despite positive labour market features, Austria had some issues in meeting the demand for apprenticeships after 2002. This threatened transition of young people into the labour market; as is widely recognised, inexperience and a lack of skills contribute to the unwillingness of employers to take on young people. In this context, the Austrian government established a ‘Training Guarantee’ in 2008, promising a suitable job, apprenticeship or training place to all young people within three months of them registering as unemployed or in search of an apprenticeship. ‘Supra-company apprenticeships’ were part of this.
Between 2002 and 2011, apprenticeship/traineeship seekers in Austria consistently outstripped the number of places offered by companies. Between 2008 and 2010, the number of training companies declined by 5.1% while the number seeking placements reduced by 1.3%. The provision of publicly subsidised traineeships was a reflection of the Austrian government’s commitment to assisting those unable to find a suitable apprenticeship placement, how are often young people with lower level qualifications and facing further disadvantage. |
Aims and objectives of the policy or measure: |
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Main activities / actions underpinning the policy or measure: |
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Geographical scope of policy or measure: | National |
Target groups: | Low-skilled people, People not in education, employment or training (NEETs), Young people (aged 16 to 25 years) |
Outputs and outcomes of the policy or measure: |
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