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Framework of Actions for the Lifelong Development of Competencies and Qualifications - Austria
Source: European Union
In March 2002, the European social partners adopted a framework of actions for the lifelong development of competences and qualifications, as a contribution to the implementation of the Lisbon strategy.
At national level the Federation of Austrian Industry (IV), the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), the Chamber of Labour (AK) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) had been actively involved in several initiatives, which supported the objectives of the framework of actions. The main activities were as follows:
For the first time the Austrian adult education system was analysed by the OECD. An expert group visited Austria in March 2003; the social partners formed part of the national steering committee and informed the OECD experts about the strong and the weak aspects of adult education in Austria. Among other things, the social partners once more emphasised the importance of a lifelong learning (LLL) coordination and advisory body for Austria. The country report will be published at the beginning of 2004.
The Federation of Industry supported the development of a revised concept of the new government to develop a LLL strategy for Austria. At the core of the concept there should be a task force for LLL, chaired by a Regierungsbeauftragter (person specially mandated by government). The task of this expert group is to work out a status quo analysis including the definition of reform areas, the definition of strategic objectives and cornerstones of a LLL policy until 2010 (LLL:2010) and the development of an LLL action plan. This LLL concept has already been integrated in a political action plan for education and vocational training by the Austrian Minister of Education, Science and Culture.
On quality assurance in adult education, a working group including the social partners has been established by the Austrian Ministry of Education. Its aim is to create an “Austrian Label of Quality for Further Education”.
A current initiative concerning the apprenticeship-training scheme might also have a strong impact on professional training programmes for adults. Due to ongoing developments in several professional fields it was agreed that training standards should be adapted by introducing a modular system of qualifications leading to more flexible training schemes which are in accordance with changing professional demands in different companies as well as with different individual learning needs.
Moreover, it should also be possible to acquire additional competences through additional training modules beyond apprenticeship training. In the future there may be modules of apprenticeship training, which also become part of adult-training schemes and vice versa. This would lead to training programmes where initial and continuing training are reintegrated.
In order to support implementation of the framework of action proactively at national level, the Federation of Industry was project partner in the Berlin social dialogue conference on Lifelong development of competences and qualifications – voluntary European frameworks and their practical application, coordinated by BDA and supported by the European Commission. Country reports on LLL presented by social partners gave a current overview of the latest developments followed by workshops focusing in particular on qualification demand, recognition and validation of skills and competences, information, counselling and support systems as well as financing of LLL.
At a further conference in the area of lifelong learning organised by the Chamber of Labour, the Swedish adult education system was presented and discussed (with Dr. Robert Modlitba, Swedish Ministry of Education; 80 participants).
In cooperation with the social partners an expert conference on competences in a changing world of work was organised focusing on demographic trends, qualification demand of companies, quality assurance and equal opportunities through education. It was the third conference on future qualification demand organised by the Austrian Labour Market Service.
The two largest Austrian training institutes, WIFI (training institute of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber) and bfi (Vocational Training Institute of the Chamber of Labour and the Trade Union Federation) offered a wide range of courses:
Owned by the Chambers of Labour and the Austrian Trade Union Federation, its activities focus on vocational education and training for the employed as well as educational and occupational schemes for unemployed persons and workers facing the risk of unemployment. Most of the education and training courses are based on modular systems. The bfi is certified according to the international standard ISO 9001.
In 2002 14,053 courses and seminars comprising a total of 1,383,465 lessons were held in more than 140 locations all over Austria, and attended by 166,375 persons. 1,619 employees and more than 5,800 freelancers worked on behalf of the bfi.
There are a number of other institutions also affiliated to the bfi. An example with reference to the "European Year of People with Disabilities" is the BBRZ: the BBRZ in Linz (Upper Austria), with branches in Vienna and Styria, provides the opportunity for occupational reintegration after an accident or severe illness. The BBRZ offers guidance and counselling as well as individually tailored education and training schemes, complemented by medical and psychological services. It is Austria's largest provider in the field of occupational rehabilitation.
The WIFI (training institute of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber) offers courses and seminars in management, foreign languages, individual development, business administration, and information technology for more than 300,000 participants a year.
On the basis of several international cooperative ventures, the WIFI responds to the need to create programmes leading to qualifications and competences, which are applied and recognised across the EU. This is an essential contribution to improve transparency and supra-national accreditation of the qualifications acquired.
At present this applies for international language certificates as well as certificates in new technologies. Moreover, there are bilateral cooperative ventures leading to jointly developed training programmes with mutual accreditation. First examples in this respect are the “European Office Management Academy” and “European Exports Management Programme”.
Bearing in mind that there will be an increasing demand for employees with practice- related training at peak/top level, the WIFI offers more training programmes at higher education level. Respective fields are Business Management, Finance Management as well as technical disciplines such as Industrial Engineering, Electric Process Engineering and Information Technology itself.
Implacement Stiftung (“implacement” foundation)
In order to achieve a better match between qualifications available and qualifications for which there is a demand on the labour market, the new instrument Implacement Stiftung has been developed, introduced in some Länder in 2002 and now in place all over Austria from 2004 onwards. It is a common initiative of the social partners together with the Austrian Labour Market Service, financed by the Länder, the Labour Market Service and the companies involved. The Implacement Stiftung offers targeted and demand-oriented qualification of unemployed people for a concrete job already offered by a specific company. These job-offering companies are involved early in planning and implementation of the training measures. In particular in areas facing a lack of skilled labour, the Implacement Stiftung gives the opportunity to train selected people according to their needs and the company’s requirements. The unemployed gain not only from the qualification measure itself but also from a firm job offer after training has been completed.
The Learning Voucher of the Chamber of Labour
In 2002 the Chamber of Labour (the legal representation of all Austrian workers and employees with obligatory membership) launched a new initiative, the „AK Bildungsgutschein“ („Learning Voucher of the Chamber of Labour“) in all nine Austrian Länder. Every member of the chamber of Labour can order a learning voucher worth € 100 (in some Länder members on parental leave receive € 150). The voucher can be used for specific courses at selected training providers. Since its introduction, 80,000 vouchers have been distributed and used across the country (figures from June 2003).
A first evaluation of the Learning Voucher in Vienna showed that:
These results motivated the Viennese Chamber of Labour to enlarge the programme by autumn 2003. Since spring 2003 the Chamber of Labour Austria is a member of the “e-lap”-network (“European Learning Account Partners”).
The MAGNA-Manager (MAGNA STEYR)
Magna follows the concept that, in principle, every Magna employee has the opportunity to develop himself/herself to move into a leading position in the company. A training centre and – recently - a specific academy were founded, offering programmes which are open to all employees and especially tuned for qualifying potential future managers according to their and the future position’s qualification needs. The training model developed shows precise planning and organisation and is highly target-oriented. It contains special qualification modules for the respective career path of the trainee up to the level of a MAGNA-Manager. At all levels of training, the model foresees internal training, learning on the job and job rotation as well as external qualification measures such as studying at university. The costs of the qualification measures are agreed with the employee and fully covered by the company.
IV pilot project Investors in People
Supporting companies through international expertise, the Federation of Austrian Industry has introduced the internationally recognised standard ‘Investors in People’ (IIP) in Austria. The standard is one of the most developed, experienced and useful tools in supporting companies in their HRD efforts. IIP is a certified framework to improve performance, to make better use of the company's human capital and to further develop human resources. It supports companies’ efforts to invest effectively in its people. The pilot project, supported by the European Social Fund (ESF), started in March 2004 and supports 12 companies ranging from private services to public service, industry and biotechnology to achieve the IIP label by 2006. The project was selected as an example of good practice for ESF in action. Further information is available at www.investorsinpeople.at
E-Learning Courses
Since 2003 all representatives and members of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) who cannot attend seminars, have the possibility to participate in e-learning courses. Topics referring to worker participation, labour and social law, economy, politics, European issues, media and computer application, are provided in these courses.
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