Study Shows: Room for Improvement in Apprentice Training

Currently, around 102,000 apprentices are being trained in Austria. Approximately 28,000 companies are training these future skilled workers in 230 apprenticeship professions. However, the economy sees significant shortcomings in vocational training. Therefore, vocational training should move into the educational policy focus of the coming years, according to the conclusion of a Market study commissioned by the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) and the future.teaching.austria (z.l.ö.), which was presented on Thursday.

Study Identifies Need for Improvement in Vocational Training

Companies largely agree on the importance of vocational training. Even the recession has had no influence on the importance of dual training for 52 percent of the training companies surveyed. And a further 28 percent state that the current economic situation has little impact, even though the number of new apprentices fell by 6.24 percent last year.

For Georg Knill, President of the IV, new target groups also need to be addressed to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. Employees should be better qualified through vocational training. But the proportion of women in STEM professions, i.e. in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology, could also be expanded. And many migrants know too little about dual vocational training in Austria, Knill noted. Furthermore, it should be better communicated to trainees that vocational training is not a one-way street. "This requires a societal consensus from business, politics and society," emphasized Knill. And there needs to be a "quality booster" in vocational schools.

Further Development of Vocational Training Should Be a Political Issue

About 64 percent of those surveyed considered it very important that politics deals with the further development of vocational training. For 28 percent of the companies, this issue is still important. The fact that a total of 92 percent of the companies attach great importance to this issue is also related to their experiences. "The results of the study clearly underline the importance of a solid vocational training for the Austrian economy and at the same time show the urgent need for improvements in the training process," said David Pfarrhofer, board member of the Market Institute. Because only 14 percent rate the applicants for the apprenticeship places better or much better. But more than half of the companies (51 percent) rate them worse or much worse.

Trainers Criticize Lack of Basic Skills in Apprentices

A large or very large need for action (79 percent) is seen in preparing for working life and the demands of the profession. Around 80 percent of training companies demand better teaching of basic skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. About 77 percent see a need to catch up in teaching manners, social skills, and teamwork. But career orientation could also be better, 76 percent of companies are convinced. "While vocational training in Austria is an important part of the economy, the results show that there is a need for optimization throughout the educational path," says z.l.ö. President Robert Machtlinger.

According to the IV and the z.l.ö., these skills should be taught in the parental home and in primary school. Furthermore, cooperation between schools and companies should be improved. "Career orientation in our schools plays a central role in preparing young people for the challenges of the labor market," said Machtlinger. This could convey a more realistic picture of the working world, 93 percent of companies believe. And the entire range of educational offers should be conveyed. But also the strengths and weaknesses of the students could be specifically worked on with educational offers.

Cooperations between Schools and Companies

In total, around 94 percent of those surveyed regularly or occasionally offer "taster opportunities" in the companies. And 77 percent of the apprentices have previously used this opportunity.

"The future skilled workers with their competencies and their innovative power are the decisive factor for Austria's industry and economy to embark on new paths," Monika Sandberger, managing director of z.l.ö., concluded.

The study by the Market Institute surveyed 605 training companies from October 9 to 28, 2024. The maximum statistical margin of error is 4.07 percent.

(APA/Red)

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