In this post I want to intodruce you an Austrian specific: „Fit for Future“ is an Austrian national award that decorates Austrian enterprises with the best apprenticeship training. The award was founded in 2000 since this year it is a national award. The prize is given to enterprises with the best concept of apprenticeship training. This means the professional as well as the personality training of the young people and if there are additional offers for the apprentices, i. e. drug prevention or trainings in driving safety. “Fit for Future” also comprises a special prize for apprenticeship trainings for people with special needs. More information: http://www.ibw.at/fitforfuture/
Apprenticeship training in Austria is a part of the VET-programm. Apprenticeship training is provided both at the training enterprise (practical training, which makes up some 80% of the training period) and parttime vocational school. It is the task of these vocational schools to expand the trainees’ general education and complement the specialist knowledge and skills they are taught in the training enterprises. Depending on the apprenticeship, training lasts between two and four years, mostly three years. At the end of the training, every apprentice can take an apprenticeship-leave examination. Young people with special education needs, disabilities or reduced mobility have the possibility to attend an integrative VET programme. Due to an extension of the apprenticeship period by one to a maximum of two years or attendance of programmes on partial qualifications agreed on between the trainee and the enterprise it is possible to meet the special needs of young people.
silvia