Hacker/Return – School-like educational offerings for 18 to 25 year olds are intended to enable rapid integration into the labor market and self-financed life
Vienna (OTS) – The Vienna City Council decided today – with the votes of SPÖ, NEOS, ÖVP and GRÜNE – to significantly expand the educational offerings for young people entitled to asylum and those entitled to subsidiary protection. From September 2024, the Vienna Youth College is to be expanded to 5,000 places per year; it is part of an intensive program supported by the federal government. The offer enables young people to qualify through language and basic education. The goals are sustainable integration into the labor market and a rapid, self-financed and self-determined life. Financing comes from the City of Vienna, the AMS Vienna and the European Social Fund.
“Good training and knowledge of German are important prerequisites for successful integration into the labor market. The youth college is intended to be a kickstart for young people and enable them to stand on their own two feet as quickly as possible. This involves effort for both the participants and the city of Vienna, but it pays off. Every euro invested saves costs for the general public and generates workers for the Viennese economy. The youth college is an important contribution to integration and social cohesion.”
emphasizes Social City Councilor Peter Hacker.
Vice Mayor and City Councilor for Integration Christoph Wiederkehr emphasizes: “Any initiative that makes it easier for newcomers to Vienna to integrate will receive our full support. Education and rapid labor market integration are at the forefront of our agenda. This project, supported by the City of Vienna, the Vienna Public Employment Service and the European Social Fund, is an investment in the future of youth and makes a significant contribution not only to the local economy, but also to social cohesion. The youth college program ensures that its participants are able to start their careers through language support and basic education and enables them to quickly start an autonomous life in our metropolis.
The Vienna Youth College is a school-like educational offering – with a timetable and several units per day. The participants are taught for around nine months in various areas such as literacy, basic education and the German language as well as digital skills. Workshops, skills checks, application training and internships prepare you for working life and the Austrian job market. This also includes training in dealing with money (financial education), which is offered in collaboration with the Vienna Debt Advice Service, as well as values courses run by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).
In addition, social-educational support is also available in the modules. In this target group, some of whom have had traumatic refugee experiences, crises can occur more frequently. Social educators should intervene quickly in such situations, provide offers of help and thereby prevent dropouts.
32 hours per week, two course modules
The weekly amount of training measures is 32 hours and, once completed, provides the basis for the first steps on the job market or the completion of school training. Depending on your existing knowledge of German, two modules (Basic and Advanced) are offered, which enable a quick transition into the regular training system or entry into the job market. The continuous care process and numerous additional offers are intended to motivate the teenagers and young adults and promote the success of the measure. The AMS sees potential for the graduates due to the high demand for workers, particularly in the health and care sector as well as in the green economy (energy, mobility,…).
Perspectives for 18 to 25 year olds
The Vienna Youth College can be completed by those entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection between the ages of 18 and 25, most of whom receive the Vienna minimum income. There are around 4,000 places available for this. Around 1,000 additional places in the “College 25+” are aimed at a broader target group. In addition to those entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection, these are also open to asylum seekers with a high probability of staying – such as refugees from Syria – who have already reached the age of 25. The offerings in “College 25+”, which is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF), are more geared towards integration into the primary labor market. Child care will also be offered.
The additional booking to the Vienna Youth College is carried out by the AMS Vienna and, for those entitled to asylum with a high probability of remaining, by the Vienna Social Fund. Calls for proposals for the program have been running since January. The courses and training start in September 2024. All participants receive a living allowance from the AMS and, if necessary, subsidiary benefits from the Vienna minimum income. Participation in youth college is mandatory; absence without excuse will be penalized.
numbers and facts
– In December, 7,400 people entitled to asylum and those entitled to subsidiary protection under the age of 25 were in Vienna’s minimum security system. 6,500 of them were adults and 900 were minors.
– In 2023, an average of 39,137 people entitled to asylum and those entitled to subsidiary protection were registered with the AMS across Austria – three quarters of this group live in Vienna.
– Of those entitled to asylum and those entitled to subsidiary protection registered with the AMS, 68% are men and 32% women – 26% are younger than 25 years.
Questions & Contact:
Mario Dujakovic
Media spokesperson City Councilor Peter Hacker
Tel.: +43 1 4000 81248
E-Mail: mario.dujakovic@wien.gv.at
Nina Oezelt
Media spokesperson for Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr
Tel.: +43 1 4000 83221
E-Mail: nina.oezelt@wien.gv.at