Continuing Education Time Replaces Educational Leave: What Changes in 2026

The educational leave will be replaced by a training period starting next year. This is primarily aimed at individuals with low formal education. This will be achieved with an increased minimum compensation. Additionally, there will be higher performance requirements for university training. A maximum of 150 million euros is budgeted for the training period.

Training period no longer possible directly after parental leave

A large part of the costs for the educational leave, which recently amounted to 650 million per year, was made up of individuals who connected this subsidized training directly to parental leave. This option will no longer be available, as Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) announced in the press foyer after the Council of Ministers. In the future, there must be at least 26 weeks of employment subject to unemployment insurance in between.

A prerequisite for starting the training period is also that one has been employed with the respective employer for a year or twelve months during the two years before starting. There is still no age limit.

If one continues their education outside their previous field of activity, prior consultation is mandatory. Additionally, the goals of the training should be documented.

If one wishes to pursue university education, 20 hours per week must still be completed. However, it should be ensured through further defined clarifications that these are preferably completed in person. If there are caregiving responsibilities, only 16 hours per week are required. The required ECTS points are also 20, 16 with caregiving responsibilities. Previously, only eight points had to be proven.

The focus is generally on "seminar-style educational events in face-to-face or live online format," which increases the attendance obligations. After completing the training, a certificate of participation must be presented. If this cannot be proven, the training allowance may be reclaimed.

Increased Financial Support

Social Minister Schumann justified the reform by stating that the old model introduced in 1998 is no longer up-to-date. Those who will particularly benefit are people with lower formal education. Therefore, the minimum level of support is to be significantly increased to 32 euros/day. Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) added that educational leave has increasingly become a "time-out model." Now there is an offer to the economy to specifically qualify employees and for workers to achieve higher income through higher qualifications. Support also came from Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS). He also spoke of a win-win situation for both sides at the press foyer. The Deputy Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce, Mariana Kühnel, stated in a release that the redesign could be a stepping stone to a better-qualified job, especially for those with lower qualifications.

The training period is "a completely inadequate model," however, according to the Greens. It remains unanswered what those who have already booked courses for this year should do, said Social Spokesperson Markus Koza. It is also questionable whether a career reorientation is still possible. "If training opportunities are only tied to the employer and their needs, the character of educational leave and part-time education is completely lost." For young mothers who want to further their education or reorient themselves, there is no longer an offer. Koza, however, welcomed the planned educational counseling.

Transition Period Planned Until New Regulation

The old educational leave expired at the end of March. However, there are still cases during a transition period. It was accepted if the agreement was concluded by the end of February and the educational measure begins by May 31 at the latest. The new training period is to be legally developed by the summer. It will come into force in 2026.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.