Austria - Designing VET programmes for vulnerable learners

This case study looks at how initial VET programmes within the apprenticeship training system are adjusted to meet the needs of vulnerable learners. This covers both the work-based and school-based aspects of VET in a dual system. This scheme (in German: Integrative Berufsausbildung - IBA) is flexible and helps vulnerable learners to improve their chances of entering the labour market. It is aimed at learners with a physical or learning difficulty, or those who have not successfully finished secondary school. IBA has two variations: the apprenticeship period can be extended by one additional year (or exceptionally up to two additional years) or only some of the competences of an apprenticeship profession are taught (graduates get a partial qualification). In each variation trainees’ part-time attendance at a vocational school is obligatory. When an apprenticeship is prolonged, the IBA is completed with the usual apprenticeship leaving exam; when a trainee takes a partial qualification the leaving exam covers only those competences which have been agreed. Partial qualifications use competences and a learning outcome based curricula, and have been in operation in Austria since 2012.

Trainees on the IBA, and their employers, receive support through a vocational training allowance (Berufsausbildungsassistenz).

Austria - Designing VET programmes for vulnerable learners

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