Vienna Extends Integration Project Youth College by One Year
The City of Vienna is continuing the Youth College developed in collaboration with the Public Employment Service (AMS). The educational program is aimed at young refugees and serves as a structured preparation for the Austrian labor market. As Social City Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) explained in the municipal council on Wednesday, the goal is integration "from the first day."
Hacker evaluated the previous experiences as positive. The program has a school-like character and includes 32 hours per week. The significantly higher success rates compared to other measures for the same age group were particularly emphasized.
Over 3,000 Participants in the First Year
In the first funding year, which ends at the end of September, more than 3,000 young people participated in the Youth College. According to information from the town hall, 86 percent of those who took the compulsory school-leaving exam passed successfully. The success rate for the German exam was 59 percent.
According to Hacker, a systematic evaluation is still pending. Nevertheless, the decision was made to extend the project.
City and AMS Invest Over 38 Million Euros
For the upcoming funding period of twelve months, the City of Vienna, together with the AMS, is providing around 38.17 million euros. In the long term, the project is intended not only to enable integration but also to reduce social expenses.
Currently, about 7,200 young asylum seekers or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in Vienna receive minimum security benefits. According to the city, this target group should be integrated into the labor market as quickly and sustainably as possible.
(APA/Red)
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