Apprentieship Training.doc

Apprenticeship Training in Austria – The Dual System In Austria apprenticeship training takes places at two different sites: company-based training of apprentices is complemented by compulsory attendance of a part-time vocational school for apprentices [Berufsschule]. Thus, apprenticeship training is also referred to as dual vocational training system or as dual system. Currently about 40 per cent of all Austrian teenagers enter apprenticeship training upon completion of compulsory education. But although the overall number of apprentices just as the number of those entering apprenticeship training has been going back since 1981, 1997 saw the discontinuation of this trend, for the number of new apprentices increased again. Upon completion of apprenticeship training about 40 to 44 per cent of all apprentices continue to work for the company where they were trained. All in all about 40,000 companies train approximately 120,000 apprentices, which corresponds to an average of 3 apprentices per company. The percentage of female apprentices increased slightly between 1975 and 1989, but has been decreasing ever since 1990 falling to a mere 31 per cent in 1996. The most popular apprenticeship trades among girls are retail-trade merchant, followed by hairdresser and office clerk. Among male apprentices the most popular occupations are motor-vehicle mechanic, followed by electrician. More than 50 per cent of all apprentices are trained for the craftsmens trades, other important sectors are commerce (16 %), the industry (11 %) and tourism and the leisure industry (10%). Company-based training is regulated by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour while pedagogical matters fall into the province of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. Apprentices may only be trained in the legally recognized apprenticeship trades. These skilled trades (presently approximately 240) are included in the list of apprenticeship trades [Lehrberufsliste] published