ÖVP area spokeswoman for vocational training and teaching: We are ushering in a paradigm shift and strengthening vocational training in Austria
Vienna (OTS) – “Apprenticeship is the foundation of our economic system, because it ensures that we will continue to have well-trained skilled workers in the future,” emphasizes ÖVP National Council member Martina Kaufmann, who is also the People’s Party’s spokesperson for vocational training and apprenticeships. In Austria, people are rightly proud of vocational training; domestic apprenticeships are a model of success that is also often adopted internationally. Around 1.6 million Austrians have an apprenticeship qualification as their highest level of education, and around 108,000 young people are currently undergoing apprenticeship training, says Kaufmann, and continues: “With the law for ‘higher vocational education’ (HBB ) we are now creating new perspectives for further training and development, even in apprenticeships for which there has previously been no master’s or qualification examination after graduation.”
Further paths on the career ladder would now be opened up, for example for those who would complete a qualification as a retail clerk. “In the future, it will be possible to complete training as a regional manager here and thus gain higher qualifications. Or also with the chimney sweeps, where there will be a qualification as an energy efficiency technician, which can be acquired before any master craftsman examination,” the ÖVP representative points to specific examples. You will be able to continue your training in your chosen professional field without having to go through academic institutions. “And this represents a paradigm shift that strengthens and enhances vocational training and represents a clear commitment to teaching and the further development opportunities it offers,” emphasizes Kaufmann.
Entrepreneurs would also benefit from this because: “They will get even better trained specialists with internationally recognized training qualifications. This opens the doors for tenders and ensures greater competitiveness.” Education policy and economic policy are overall “future policy,” says Kaufmann, who concludes: “I would like to thank all the stakeholders who were involved in the development of the HBB Act. The social partners, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Education and Economics, all those who negotiated and our coalition partner. We have created an outstanding law that will fully develop its potential in the future.” (Conclusion)
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