Apprenticeship (Lehrstelle)

What

Apprenticeship is a system of training that combines on-the-job training (80% of the total time) with theoretical classes (20% of the total time). It can last from two to four years. At the end of the apprenticeship, you can work as a qualified worker in the profession.

Who

Any person, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and beliefs that has concluded the lower level of secondary education according to the Austrian education system. In Austria, students finish lower level of secondary education at the age of 15.

How

You can look for the apprenticeship yourself and make an agreement with the company. You can also find an apprenticeship through the Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarkt – AMS) or through the Apprenticeship Job Market. There are different supports available for apprentices:

• Support for interview (Vorstellungsbeihilfe): AMS gives a support for travel, accommodation and food if the location of the interview is far away. Offices of the AMS in Austria and contact information (in German): www.ams.at/service-arbeitsuchende/arbeitsuche/geschaeftsstellen/adressen.
• Support for distance (Entfernungsbeihilfe): Support for apprentices whose working place is far from their main residence. The monthly gross salary of the household can’t be more than 2,300 EUR. Offices of the AMS in Austria and contact information (in German): www.ams.at/service-arbeitsuchende/arbeitsuche/geschaeftsstellen/adressen.
• Family allowance (Familienbeihilfe): As a general rule (if all other requirements are fulfilled), family support is given to families with minors. This support can be extended if the apprentice is under 24 years old and doing a vocational training. Offices of the Ministry of Finance in your place of residence (in German): service.bmf.gv.at/service/anwend/behoerden/.
• Support for travelling (Freifahrt und Fahrtenbeihilfe): If the apprentice lives at least 2km away from their training place, he/she can apply for support for traveling if travelling with own vehicle. A requirement is that the apprentice receives family allowance. The Ministry for Family and Youth (Bundesministerium für Familien und Jugend) is the responsible authority: Untere Donaustraße 13-15, 1020 Vienna. Tel: +43-1/71100-0. Email: office@bmfj.gv.at.
• Learning support (LEHRE.FÖRDERN): Preparatory courses for the final examination are funded with up to 250 EUR. Austrian Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer) (in German): www.wko.at.
• Support for apprenticeship: Besides the supports mentioned above, every State Government (Amt der Landesregierung) offers different kinds of support to apprentices.

Good to know

After getting the certificate, you’re qualified to work in that profession or you can continue to study at university or university of applied sciences. As apprentice you get a low apprenticeship salary, which increases every year. There are special apprenticeship programs supported by the Austrian government for young asylum seekers, especially in the branches of hospitality and gastronomy.

Where

Apprenticeship job market from the Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice –AMS). More information at the web pages of the AMS and the webpage of the AMS Vocational information centre (in German): www.ams.at/lehrstellen/ and www.berufslexikon.at/index.php?from=/le_start.php.